Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/196

l88 SPEECH OF NICIAS [vi earnestly and so long to win a name for valour. If we are wise we shall not trouble ourselves about the barbarous Egestaeans in Sicily ; the real question is how we can make ourselves secure against the designs of an insidious oligarch}'. 12 ' We must remember also that we have onl}' just re- We have plciy of covered in some measure from a great work at home, and had plague and a great war, and are be- hetier leave these ad- ginning to make up our losscs in men venturers to themselves. , t. • j i. i. i and money. It is our duty to expend our new resources upon ourselves at home, and not upon begging exiles who have an interest in successful lies ; who find it expedient only to contribute words, and let others fight their battles; and who, if saved, prove un- grateful ; if they fail, as they very likely may, only involve their friends in a common ruin. ' I dare say there may be some young man here who is Alcibiades is too delighted at holding a command, and young to command the more SO because he is too young for sn:h an e.pedU.onand j^j^ ^^^ ^ regarding only his lie only tvants to indulge r r > o o j his taste for horses at own interest, may recommend you to the public expense. sail; he may be one who is much admired for his stud of horses, and wants to make some- thing out of his command which will maintain him in his extravagance. But do not you give him the opportunity of indulging his own magnificent tastes at the expense of the state. Remember that men of this stamp impoverish themselves and defraud the public. An expedition to Sicily is a serious business, and not one which a mere 13 youth can plan and carry into execution off-hand. The youth of whom I am speaking has summoned to his side young men like himself, whom, not without alarm, I see sitting by him in this assembly, and I appeal against them to you elder citizens. If any of 3'ou should be placed next one of his supporters, I would not have him Omitting tlic comma after iK-nXiTv.