Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 1.djvu/147

 41-43] SPEECH OF THE CORINTHIANS 31 assists them a friend though he may have previously been a foe, him who opposes them a foe, even though he may happen to be a friend; nay, they will often neglect their own interests in the excitement of the struggle. 'Think of these things; let the younger be informed 42 of them by their elders, and resolve all of you to render ^C- 433 like for like. Do not say to yourselves that this is just, ' ' ■*' but that in the event of war something else is expedient; for the true path of expediency is the path of right. The war with which the Corcyraeans would frighten you into doing wrong is distant, and may never come ; is it worth while to be so carried away by the prospect of it, that you bring upon yourselves the hatred of the Corinthians which is both near and certain ? Would you not be wiser in seeking to mitigate the ill-feeling which your treatment of the Megarians has already inspired "^ ? The later kind- ness done in season, though small in comparison, may cancel a greater previous offence. And To do no ivrong is do not be attracted by their offer of a better thana great naval great naval alliance ; for to do no wrong ^"""^^• to a neighbour is a surer source of strength than to gain a perilous advantage under the influence of a momentary illusion. 'We are now ourselves in the same situation in which 43 you were, when we declared at Sparta that every one so placed should be allowed to chastise his own allies ; and we claim to receive the same measure at your hands. You were profited by our vote, and we ought not to be injured by yours. Pay what you owe, knowing that this is our time of need, in which a man's best friend is he who does him a service, he who opposes him, his worst enemy. Do not receive these Corcyraeans into alliance in despite of us, and do not support them in injustice. In acting thus you will act rightly, and will consult your own true interests.'
 * Cp. i. 67 fin.