victory of Salamis to Themistocles,
but to the Athenians; nor the battle of Marathon to Miltiades, but to
the republic. But now people say that Timotheus took Corcyra, and
Iphicrates cut off the Spartan division, and Chabrias won the naval
victory at Naxos; for you seem to resign the merit of these actions,
by the extravagance of the honors which you have bestowed on their
account upon each of the commanders.

So wisely did the Athenians of that day confer political rewards; so
improperly do you. But how the rewards of foreigners? To Menon the
Pharsalian, who gave twelve talents in money for the war at Eion by
Amphipolis, and assisted them with two hundred horsemen of his own
retainers, the Athenians then voted not the freedom of their city, but
only granted immunity from imposts. And in earlier times to Perdiccas,
who reigned in Macedonia during the invasion of the Barbarian--when he
had destroyed the Persians who retreated from Plataea after their
defeat, and completed the disaster of the King--they voted not the
freedom of their city, but only granted immunity from imposts;
doubtless esteeming their country to be of high value, honor, and
dignity, surpassing all possible obligation. But now, ye men of
Athens, ye adopt the vilest of mankind, menials and the sons of
menials, to be your citizens, receiving a price as for any other
salable commodity. And you have fallen into such a practice, not
because your natures are inferior to your ancestors, but because they
were in a condition to think highly of themselves, while from you, men
of Athens, this power is taken away. It can never be, methinks, that
your spirit is generous and noble, while you are engaged in petty and
mean employments; no more than you can be abject and mean-spirited,
while your actions are honorable and glorious. Whatever be the
pursuits of men their sentiments must necessarily be similar.

Mark what a summary view may be taken of the deeds performed by your
ancestors and by you. Possibly from such comparison you may rise
superior to yourselves. They for a period of five and forty years took
the lead of the Greeks by general consent, and carried up more than
ten thousand talents into the citadel; and many glorious trophies they
erected for victories by land and sea, wherein even yet we take a
pride. And remember, they erected these, not merely that we may survey
them with admiration, but, also, that we may emulate the virtues of
the dedicators. Such