Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 1.djvu/306

 190 SPEECH OF THE MYTILENAEANS [ III could we who survived expect to be spared if ever they had the power to destroy us ? II 'Had all the allies retained their independence, we should „, ^ have had better assurance that they IVe were an offence •' to them, but they left would leave US as we were ; but when us free because j) our the majority had been subjugated by voluntary adherence them, they might naturally be expected was a testimony to ' j o j . r their character, (2) they to take offence at our footing of equality ; ivanted to use the strong they would Contrast us who alone main- asainst the weak and ^^.^^^ ^j^j^ equality with the majority so isolate us, (3) they ~i j j j feared our navy, l^) we who had submitted to them; they paid court to their dem- would also observe that in proportion agogues. ^g their strength was increasing, our isolation was increasing too. Mutual fear is the only solid basis of alliance ; for he who would break faith is deterred from aggression by the consciousness of inferiority. And why were we left independent ? Only because they thought that to gain an empire they must use fair words and win their way by policy and not by violence. On the one hand, our position was a witness to their character. For, having an equal vote with them, we could not be supposed to have fought in their wars against our will, but those whom they attacked must have been in the wrong. On the other hand, they were thus enabled to use the powerful against the weak ; they thought that they would leave us to the last ; when the lesser states were removed, the stronger would fall an easier prey. But if they had begun with us while the power of the allies was still intact, and we might have afforded a rallying-point, they would not so easily have mastered them. Besides, our navy caused them some apprehension ; they were afraid that we might join you, or some other great power, and that the union would be dangerous to them. For a time, too, we saved ourselves by paying court to the people and to the popular leaders of the day. But we were not likely to have survived long, judging by the conduct of the Athe- nians towards others, if this war had not arisen.