Philip Should Not Receive All the Blame
Clearly these considerations would most probably
have led them to condemn themselves, and to view Philip
with respect and admiration for his kingly and high minded
qualities, shown by his respect for religion and by the moderation of his anger against themselves. For in truth to
conquer one's enemies in integrity and equity is not of less,
but of greater, practical advantage than victories in the field.
In the one case the defeated party yields under compulsion;
in the other with cheerful assent. In the one case the victor
effects his reformation at the cost of great losses; in the other
he recalls the erring to better courses without any damage to
himself. But above all, in the one case the chief credit of the
victory belongs to the soldiers, in the other it falls wholly and
solely to the part of the leaders.
Perhaps, however, one ought not to lay all the blame for
The blame chiefly belongs to Demetrius of Pharos. |
what was done on that occasion on Philip, taking
his age into consideration; but chiefly on his
friends, who were in attendance upon him and
co-operating with him, among whom were
Aratus and Demetrius of Pharos. In regard to them it would
not be difficult to assert, even without being there, from
which of the two a counsel of this sort proceeded. For apart
from the general principles animating the whole course of his
life, in which nothing savouring of rashness and want of
judgment can be alleged of Aratus, while the exact contrary
may be said of Demetrius, we have an undisputed instance of
the principles actuating both the one and the other in
analogous circumstances, on which I shall speak in its proper
place.
