Speeches, addresses, etc., Greek -- Translations into English
20. I do not know why you should feel differently about him from his
relatives. For (their feelings) are such that if he had done no other
wrong, it would be right to refuse him the examination on account of them
alone. I will pass over the accusations which his mother made during her
life. It is easy for you to infer from what she did at the close of her
life, how her son conducted himself towards her. 21. For she did not dare
trust herself to him at death, but gave to Antiphanes who was not a
relative, but whom she trusted, three minae of silver for her burial,
disregarding her own son. So is it not evident that she knew well that he
would not do his duty even to a relative? 22. Then if a mother, who
naturally endures the wrongs put upon her by her children and thinks she
has great returns from them even if they render only a slight service,
because she judges what happens rather by her natural mother-love than by
any cold-blooded standard, (if she then) thought her son would rob her at
death, what should be your judgment about him? 23. For what would a man
do to those who were not connected with him if lie commits such offenses
against his own relatives? That this is true, hear the man who took the
silver and buried her.
EVIDENCE.
24. How then could you allow him to pass? As if he had done no wrong?
But he has been guilty of the greatest offenses against his country. That
he will improve? Then let him improve first and afterwards go into
political life; after he has done something as manifestly good as his
evil deeds were bad in the past. It is more prudent to show gratitude for
all his deeds, for it seems to me a dreadful thing if he shall escape
punishment for his past offenses and be rewarded for his good intentions.
25. But perhaps he should be examined that the citizens may be nobler if
they see all honored alike! But there is danger that if the good see the
bad held in equal honor they will cease from their upright mode of life,
thinking it is the same thing to honor bad men and pass by the good. 26.
But this is to be remembered, that if any one betrays a stronghold or
ships or a camp, in which there chance to be any citizens, he receives
the extreme penalty, while this man who betrayed the whole city is
planning not for punishment but for reward. So one who betrayed freedom
as evidently as this man did would justly be contending not for political
office, but against slavery and the greatest penalties.
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