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there's no Mercy remains for these Men, who have debarr'd themselves of all Pity and Compassion in their present Calamities. For whether can they fly? To the Gods? whose Worship according to the Laws of the Country, they endeavoured to root up? To Men? whom with all their might they were studying and contriving to make Slaves? Will they make their Addresses to Ceres and Proserpina, when they came hither to spoil and lay waste the Island dedicated to them? So it is. But say some, the People of Athens are in no fault, but Alcibiades who advis'd, and persuaded to this War. What then? We know that they who advise, for the most part frame their Speeches that way which they conceive is most agreeable to the Humour of their Auditors: And he that is to give his Vote, often trusts to the Orator what he would have to be urged. For the Orator commands not the People, but the People order the Orator to propose what is advisable, and then determine what they think fit. Besides, if we pardon the Malefactors upon their casting the fault upon their Advisers, we furnish every wicked Fellow with a ready Excuse for the clearing of himself. To speak plainly, it would be the unjustest thing in the World, to give thanks to the People for all the good and advantage we at any time reap, and execute Revenge upon the Orators for all the Injuries we suffer. It's to be admir'd to see some so far besotted, as to judge it fit that Alcibiades now out of our reach should be punish'd, and yet the Prisoners now justly brought to judgment should be discharged; that thereby it might be evident to all, that the Syracusians are so sottish, as not to have any sense of that which is ill: but admit the truth be so, that the Advisers were the Cause of the War, then let the People accuse them because they have led them into such a Disaster. In the mean time do you (as in Justice you ought) revenge your selves upon the Multitude, by whom you have most injuriously suffered. The Sum of all is this, If knowingly and advisedly they have thus wronged you, they deserve to suffer upon that account; if they came upon you rashly and inconsiderately, they are not to be spar'd for that Reason, lest they make it a Practice to injure others others, under pretence of unadvisedness and inconsideration. For it's not just the Syracusians should be ruin'd by the rashness and ignorance of the Athenians, nor where the Damage is irrepairable, to admit of an excuse for the Offenders. Yea, by Jupiter! But Niceas (say some) pleaded the Cause of the Syracusians, and was the only Person dissuaded the People from the War. What he said there, indeed we heard, and what he has acted here, we have now seen. For he who there argu'd against the Expedition, was there General of an Army against us; and he who was then the Syracusian Advocate, but even now besieg'd and wall'd in their City. He who was then so well affected towards you, lately commanded the continuance both of the War and the Siege, when Demosthenes and all the rest would have drawn off and return'd. I judge therefore you will not have more regard to Words than things, to Promises than Experiences, to things dark and uncertain, than to those that are seen and apparent. Yet by Jupiter, I confess, it's a very wicked thing to perpetuate Enmities and differences. But is not the due punishment of those that violate the peace, the most natural way to put an end to Hostilities? It's certainly most unjust, when it's apparent if they had been Conquerors, they would have made the conquered all Slaves, to spare them now they are conquered, as if they had done nothing amiss: For thus getting their Necks out of the Halter, they'll speak you fair for a time, and perhaps remember the kindness so long as it is for their advantage, but no longer. One thing more I have to say, If you follow this Advice, besides many other Mischiefs, you disoblige the Lacedemonians, who readily undertook this War for your sakes, and sent hither Aids and Supplies as your Confederates, when they might have been quiet, and suffered Sicily to have been wasted and destroyed. And therefore if you release the Prisoners, and enter into a new League with the Athenians, it will evidently appear that you betray your Confederates; and whereas it's now in your power to ruin and destroy the common Enemies, by discharging of those who are the best of their Souldiers, you put them in a better condition for a Second Encounter. I can never be persuaded that the Athenians who bear such an inveterate Hatred, will ever continue long to be your Friends. Whilst they cannot hurt you, so long they'l make a shew of Kindness,
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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.