Page:History of Greece Vol XI.djvu/301

 PHOKION. 275 history, we read of no similar multiplication of distinct appoint- ments and honors to the same individual. According to the picture of Athens and her democracy, aa usually presented by historians, we are tau-ght to believe that the only road open to honors or political influence, was, by a seductive address, and by courting the people with fine speeches, unworthy flattery, or unmeasured promises. Those who take this view of the Athenian character, will find it difficult to explain the career of Phokion. He was no orator, from disdain rather than in- competence. 1 Besides receiving a good education, he had profited by the conversation of Plato, as well as of Xenokrates, in the Academy ; 2 and we are not surprised that in their school he con- tracted a contempt for popular oratory, as well as a love for brief, concentrated, pungent reply. Once, when about to speak in pub- lic, he was observed to be particularly absorbed in thought. " You seem meditative, Phokion," said a friend. " Ay, by Zeus," was the reply ; " I am meditating whether I cannot in some way abridge the speech which I am just about to address to the Athenians." He knew so well, however, on what points to strike, that his telling brevity, strengthened by the weight of character and posi- tion, cut through the fine oratory of Demosthenes more effectively than any counter-oratory from men like ^Eschines. Demosthenes himself greatly feared Phokion as an opponent, and was heard to observe, on seeing him rise to speak, " Here comes the cleaver of my harangues." 3 Polyeuktus, himself an orator and a friend ">f Demosthenes, drew a distinction highly complimentary to Phokion, by saying, that " Demosthenes was the finest orator, but Phokion the most formidable in speech." 4 In public policy, in means of political effect, and in personal character, Phokion was the direct antithesis of Demosthenes ; whose warlike elo- quence, unwarlike disposition, paid speech-writing, and delicate habits of life, he doubtless alike despised. As Phokion had in his nature little of the professed orator, so 1 Tacit. Dialog, de Clar, Orator, c. 2. " Aper, communi eruditione im- butus, contemnebat potius literas quana nesciebat." 2 Plutarch, Phokion, c. 4, 14. 3 Plutarch, Phokion, c. 5. rj ruv sfiuv hoyuv /cornf TriipeaTiv. vtif, eirtlv 6e deivoraTO^ 6 &UKIUV.
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