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47.
Only consider what a blunder you would commit
in doing as Cleon recommends.
[2]
As things are at present, in all the cities the people is your friend, and
either does not revolt with the oligarchy, or, if forced to do so, becomes
at once the enemy of the insurgents; so that in the war with the hostile city you have the masses on your side.
[3]
But if you butcher the people of Mitylene, who had nothing to do with the
revolt, and who, as soon as they got arms, of their own motion surrendered
the town, first you will commit the crime of killing your benefactors; and next you will play directly into the hands of the higher classes, who
when they induce their cities to rise, will immediately have the people on
their side, through your having announced in advance the same punishment for
those who are guilty and for those who are not.
[4]
On the contrary, even if they were guilty, you ought to seem not to notice
it, in order to avoid alienating the only class still friendly to us.
[5]
In short, I consider it far more useful for the preservation of our empire
voluntarily to put up with injustice, than to put to death, however justly,
those whom it is our interest to keep alive.
As for Cleon's idea that in punishment the claims of justice and expediency
can both be satisfied, facts do not confirm the possibility of such a
combination.
Thucydides. The Peloponnesian War. London, J. M. Dent; New York, E. P. Dutton. 1910.
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References (19 total)
- Commentary references to this page
(10):
- Charles F. Smith, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 3, 3.21
- Charles F. Smith, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 3, 3.39
- Charles F. Smith, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 3, 3.45
- Charles F. Smith, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 3, 3.46
- Charles F. Smith, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 3, 3.48
- Charles F. Smith, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 3, 3.62
- Charles F. Smith, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 3, 3.78
- C.E. Graves, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 4, CHAPTER XVII
- C.E. Graves, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 4, CHAPTER LV
- C.E. Graves, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 4, CHAPTER LXII
- Cross-references to this page (2):
- Cross-references in general dictionaries to this page
(7):
- LSJ, ἀντικαθίστημι
- LSJ, ἐπέρχομαι
- LSJ, κάθεξις
- LSJ, προδείκνυ_μι
- LSJ, προσποι-έω
- LSJ, σύμφορ-ος
- LSJ, συναφ-ίστημι
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