Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 1.djvu/163

69, 7o] SPEECH OF THE CORINTHIANS 47 are not at a distance as he was, but close at hand. Instead of attacking your enemy, you wait to be attacked, and take the chances of a struggle which has been deferred until his power is doubled. And you know that the Barbarian miscarried chiefly through his own errors; and that we have oftener been delivered from these very Athenians by blunders of their own, than by any aid from you. Some have already been ruined by the hopes which you inspired in them; for so entirely did they trust you that they took no precautions themselves. These things we say in no accusing or hostile spirit — let that be under- stood — but by way of expostulation. For men expostulate with erring friends, they bring accusation against enemies who have done them a wrong. u / 'And surely we have a right to find fault with our 70 .-*- neighbours, if any one ever had. There Contyast of the Athe- are important interests at stake to n ian and Spartan which, as far as we can see, you are <:^]2I2^k!I: insensible. And you have never considered what manner of men are these Athenians'^ with whom you will have to fight, and how utterly unlike yourselves. They are revolutionary, equally quick in the conception and in the execution of every new plan; while you are conservative- careful only to keep what you have, originating nothing, and_not acting even when action is most urgent. They are bold beyond their strength; they run risks which prudence would condemn; and in the midst of misfortune they are full of hope. Whereas it is your nature, though strong, to act feebly; when your plans are most prudent, to distrust them; and when calamities come upon you, to think that you will never be delivered from them. They are impetuous, and you are dilatory; they are always abroad, and you are always at home. For they hope to gain something by leaving their homes; but you are afraid " For descriptions of Athenian character, cp. ii. 37 ff.; iii. 38; 42, 43; vi. 76; 87.