democracy exists, while that happens which they wish, and the men are punished, not who are wronging the people, but are not giving up their property. 33. And they would rather have the city small than great through others, considering that because of the dangers of the Piraeus party they can do what they please, and if you are afterwards aided by others they will injure these, while the former will gain greater power. So by this very fear they stand in the way if any advantage comes to you through others. 34. It is not hard to understand if one wishes; and these are not anxious to escape notice, but they are ashamed not to seem base, while you yourselves see and hear from others. But we, gentlemen of the jury, think it our duty to abide by our agreements and oaths, and likewise when we see the guilty paying the penalty we pity them, remembering what was done, but when you clearly punish the innocent as the guilty, you will bring suspicion upon us all by the same vote. ORATION XXVIII. ERGOCLES. 1. The accusations are so many and so terrible, men of Athens, that I think Ergocles could not pay, even by several deaths, a sufficient penalty to the state for each of his deeds. For he is shown to have betrayed cities, wronged foreign residents and citizens, and from poverty raised himself to wealth from your resources. 2. And how could they obtain pardon, when you see your ships which they command dispersing through lack of funds, becoming few out of many, and these poor and needy men sailing in them and so quickly gaining the wealth of the citizens? It is for you, men of Athens, to be enraged against them; (3) for it would be strange if you yourselves, so burdened by taxes, should grant pardon to thieves and corrupt men now, but formerly, when your estates were large as well as the state revenue, you punished with death men who desired your property.