ground our houses, filched and torn to pieces our cattle and our
goods. How then, I put it to you, will you not be acting contrary to
your solemn oaths if you refuse your aid to us, who are so manifestly
the victims of wrongdoings? Yes; and when I say solemn oaths, I speak
of oaths and undertakings which you yourselves took great pains to exact
from all of us." At that point a murmur of applause greeted Cleiteles,
the Athenians feeling the truth and justice of the speaker's language.

He sat down, and then Procles of Phlius got up and spoke as follows:
"What would happen, men of Athens, if the Lacedaemonians were well out
of the way? The answer to that question is obvious. You would be the
first object of Theban invasion. Clearly; for they must feel that you
and you alone stand in the path between them and empire over Hellas. If
this be so, I do not consider that you are more supporting Lacedaemon
by a campaign in her behalf than you are helping yourselves. For imagine
the Thebans, your own sworn foes and next-door neighbours, masters of
Hellas! You will find it a painful and onerous exchange indeed for the
distant antagonism of Sparta. As a mere matter of self-interest, now
is the time to help yourselves, while you may still reckon upon allies,
instead of waiting until they are lost, and you are forced to fight
a life-and-death battle with the Thebans single-handed. But the fear
suggests itself, that should the Lacedaemonians escape now, they will
live to cause you trouble at some future date. Lay this maxim to heart,
then, that it is not the potential greatness of those we benefit, but of
those we injure, which causes apprehension. And this other also, that
it behoves individuals and states alike so to better their position (41)
while yet in the zenith of their strength that, in the day of weakness,
when it comes, they may find some succour and support in what their
former labours have achieved. (42) To you now, at this time, a
heaven-sent opportunity is presented. In return for assistance to the
Lacedaemonians in their need, you may win their sincere, unhesitating
friendship for all time. Yes, I say it deliberately, for the acceptance
of these benefits at your hands will not be in the presence of one or
two chance witnesses. The all-seeing gods, in whose sight to-morrow is
even as to-day, will be cognisant of these things. The knowledge of them
will be jointly attested by allies and enemies; nay, by Hellenes and
barba