[14]
At the same time, Athenians, you must not forget this, that a mere
decree is worthless without a willingness on your part to put your resolutions
into practice. If decrees could automatically compel you to do your duty, or
could accomplish the objects for which they were proposed, you would not have
passed such an array of them with little or no result, and Philip would not have
had such a long career of insolent triumph. Long ago, if decrees counted for
anything, he would have suffered for his sins.
Demosthenes. Demosthenes with an English translation by J. H. Vince, M.A. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1930.
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