Page 310
Cresus, but heap'd many Favours upon him. And such was his Practice towards other Kings and People: His Mercy and Lenity being thereupon published in every Place, all the Inhabitants of Asia flock'd together to him, and strove to be his Confederates. But why do I speak of Times and Places so far remote, when in this very City of ours, Gelon from an ordinary Man, became Prince of all Sicily; all the Cities giving up themselves freely to his Government? The Courtesie and winning Behaviour of the Man, gain'd upon every Person, especially his tenderness towards them that were in Distress. Therefore guided by this Example (at a time when this our City rul'd over all Sicily) let us not slight that which was so commendable in our Ancestors, nor behave our selves like Beasts, fierce and inexorable towards Men in Misery. It will ill become us to give occasion to those that envy us, to say that we us'd our Success and Prosperity unworthily. How desirable a thing is it when we are in Affliction, to have some to sympathize with us, and when we are in Prosperity, to have others to rejoyce with us! Victory is many times gain'd by Fortune and Chance, but Humanity and Mercy in a time of Success, are clear instances of the Virtue of the Conqueror.
Wherefore envy not your Country this Honour, whereby they will be Famous all the World over, when it shall be said that it did not only overcome the Athenians by Arms, but by Mercy and Humanity. And hence it will appear that they who ingross to themselves all the praise and commendation due to Mercy and Generosity, are far out-done by your Lenity and Compassion. And that they who first dedicated an Altar to Mercy, may find the very same in the City of Syracuse. And it will be a convincing Argument to all Mankind, that they were most justly cut off, and we most deservedly crown'd with Success; because they so unjustly fell upon those who afterwards shew'd Mercy to such implacable Enemies; and that we overcame such a sort of Men as most unjustly made War upon them who learnt to shew Mercy even by the Cruelty and Injustice of their Enemies. And hence will follow that the Athenians shall not only undergo the Censures of others, but will likewise condemn themselves, that they should endeavour by an unjust War to destroy such Men. It is certainly a most comenable thing, to lay the first Foundation of Friendship, and extinguish Dissentions, by shewing of Mercy. A good understanding amongst Friends, is to be everlasting, but Enmity with Adversaries ought to be but temporary. By this means the number of Friends would increase, and Enemies would be the fewer. But to continue Hatred and Discord for ever, and intail them to Posterity, is neither just nor safe. For sometimes it falls out that they who now seem to be more potent than the other, in a moment are brought lower than those they formerly overcame; which is clearly evinced to us by the event of the present War. They who even now besieg'd our City, and to that purpose hemm'd us in with a Wall, by a turn of Fortune are now become our Prisoners, as you all see: It's therefore our great Prudence in the Miseries of others, to shew Compassion, if we expect to find the same our selves in their Condition. This present Life is full of Paradoxes and Mutations, as Seditions, Robberies, Wars, among which Humane Nature can scarce avoid loss and prejudice: Therefore if we shut up all Bowels of Mercy towards the Distressed and Vanquished, we establish a bloody Law for ever against our selves. For it's impossible that they who are cruel towards others, should find Mercy afterwards themselves; and that they that act barbarously should be gently used; or that those who destroy so many Men against the common custom of the Greeks, when a change of Fortune comes, should obtain the common Rights and Privileges of all other Men. For which of the Grecians ever put to Death those that submitted and delivered up themselves upon hopes and belief of Mercy from the Conquerors? Or who ever prefer'd Cruelty before Mercy? or Precipitation and Rashness before Prudence? All Mankind indeed agree in this, to destroy an Enemy in Fight by all ways imaginable; but yet to spare those who submit and yield up themselves. For in the one case Obstinacy is corrected, and in the other Mercy is exercised. For our Rage is naturally cool'd, when we see him that was an Enemy, upon change of his Fortune, now lye at our Foot, submitting himself to the will and pleasure of the Conqueror: Especially Men of mild and good Tempers are toucht with a Sense of Compassion, through Affection to the same Common Nature with themselves. Even
Previous
Forward
Bibliotheca Historica
The first five books
The last ten books
Contents
Free Books
The Histories of Herodotus written in 440 BC is considered to be the founding work of history in Western literature. His history included stories and fables but he claimed to have traveled extensively and learned about many countries through direct observation.
The thesis of Stolen Legacy is that the Egyptians created what is wrongly called Greek philosophy. Dr. James argues that the African origin of Greek Philosophy is well known but rarely discussed. Ancient Greek historians such as Herodotus and Diodorus the Sicilian wrote in significant detail about the contributions of Egypt. Egyptian technology and libraries were unmatched and Greek philosophers such as Pythagoras and Plato studied there. The contribution of Africa to the intellectual foundation of modern knowledge is tremendous but unacknowledged.
The Library of History by Diodorus the Sicilian is one of the most highly regarded universal histories in antiquities. His work includes the history of Egypt, Asia, Africa, Greece and Europe. His book is a must read for research of ancient history.
Bible Study The King James Bible (kjv), World English Bible (web) and Bible in Basic English (bbe) are all examples of public domain books. The King James Bible (kjv) online uses the content from these books and open source software to enhance Bible study capabilities. The site includes the verse of the day, search tools, christian literature and links to related content. It demonstrates the use of open source to create a valuable service.