Speeches, addresses, etc., Greek -- Translations into English
the Boule, pass this vote. For why should I find you of such a
disposition? 24. Because some one in a trial ever lost his property
through me? But no one could prove that. Because I am meddlesome, and
harsh and quarrelsome? But I do not chance to have such conditions of
life for such actions. 25. But that I am violent and disorderly? But not
even he would say that if he did not wish to lie about this as the other
things. But that being in power in the reign of the Thirty I maltreated
many of the citizens? But after the democracy I fled to Chalcis on the
Euripus, and though I could have been a citizen among them without fear,
I preferred to run my risk with you all. 26. And now, members of the
Boule, having done no wrong, may I not find you such towards me as to
those who have committed many offenses, but cast the same vote for me
that the other councils (have cast), remembering that I am not giving
account of money of the state which I have managed, nor that I am not
rendering an account of any office which I have held, but I am making the
argument for an obol only. 27. And so you will understand the justice of
the matter, and I with justice from you will have this favor, and this
man for the future will learn not to plot against those weaker than
himself, but to get ahead of men like himself.
ORATION XXV.
REPLY TO "THE OVERTHROW OF THE DEMOCRACY."
1. I can easily excuse your anger, gentlemen of the jury, as you hear
such words and recall the past, towards all alike who remained in the
town; but I wonder at the accusers who neglect their own interests to
attend to other men's. And although clearly knowing who were guilty and
who not, they try to persuade you to be angry at all of us. 2. If then
they suppose they have made accusation about everything done by the
Thirty to the state, I think they are unable to speak, for they have not
told the smallest part of what they did. But if they make accusation
about these as if it concerned me, I will prove that they are all wrong,
and that I conducted myself as the best member of the Piraeus party would
have done if he remained in the town. 3. I beg you, gentlemen of the
jury, not to share the opinions of the informers. For it is their habit
to charge men who are perfectly innocent, for they get the most from
these, but it is your duty to give civil rights impartially to those who
are upright; for so you would have the most adherents for the existing
order of things. 4. And 1 beg you, gentlemen of the jury, if I shall
prove I am the cause of no calamity, and have benefited the state in many
ways, both, in person and by contributions, that I may obtain at your
hands the favor which not only those who have done good work, but those
who have done no wrong, should receive. 5. So I think it a great proof,
that if the accusers could convict me of private wrong they would not
accuse me of the crimes of the Thirty, and they would not think it
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