-day, at
any rate, the very cities whose independence you strove for have, since
your unrighteous treatment of Thebes, fallen one and all of them again
into her power. (10) We are schooled now, both of us, to know that
grasping brings not gain. We are prepared, I hope, to be once more
moderate under the influence of a mutual friendship. Some, I know, in
their desire to render our peace (11) abortive accuse us falsely, as
though we were come hither, not seeking friendship, but because we
dread the arrival of some (12) Antalcidas with moneys from the king. But
consider, what arrant nonsense they talk! Was it not, pray, the great
king who demanded that all the states in Hellas should be independent?
and what have we Athenians, who are in full agreement with the king,
both in word and deed, to fear from him? Or is it conceivable that he
prefers spending money in making others great to finding his favourite
projects realised without expense?

(10) Reading, with Breitenbach and Hartman, {as} instead of {os
espoudasate k.t.l.}

(11) Or, more lit. "to avert the peace" as an ill-omened thing.

(12) Without inserting {tis}, as Hartman proposes ("An. Xen." p. 387),
that, I think, is the sense. Antalcidas is the arch-diplomat--a
name to conjure with, like that of Bismarck in modern European
politics. But see Grote, "H. G." x. 213, note 2.

"Well! what is it really that has brought us here? No especial need
or difficulty in our affairs. That you may discover by a glance at our
maritime condition, or, if you prefer, at the present posture of our
affairs on land. Well, then, how does the matter stand? It is obvious
that some of our allies please us no better than they please you; (13)
and, possibly, in return for your former preservation of us, we may be
credited with a desire to point out to you the soundness of our policy.

(13) See, for this corrupt passage, Otto Keller, op. cit. p. 219;
Hartman, op. cit. p. 387; and Breitenbach, n. ad loc. In the next
sentence I should like to adopt Hartman's emendation (ib.) {on
orthos egnote} for the MSS. {a orthos egnomen}, and translate "we
may like to prove to you the soundness of your policy at the
time." For the "preservation" referred to, see below, VI. v. 35,
and above, II. ii. 20.

"But, to revert once more to the topic of expediency and common
interests. It is admitted, I presume, that, looking at the states
collectively, half support y