Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 1.djvu/360

 244 REFLECTIONS ON REVOLUTION [in which they pursued to the very utmost % neither party observing any definite limits either of justice or public expediency, but both alike making the caprice of the moment their law. Either by the help of an unrighteous sentence, or grasping power with the strong hand, they were eager to satiate the impatience of party-spirit. NeithcrJfa£tion_^arejL^^ ; but any fair pretence which succeeded in effecting some odious purpose was greatly lauded. And the citizens who were of neither party fell a prey to both ; either they were disliked because they held aloof, or men were jealous of their surviving. 83 Thus revolution gave birth to every form of wickedness Universal distrust, i" Hellas. The simplicity which is so Force of character, not large an element in a noble nature was intellect, prevailed. laughed to scom and disappeared. An attitude of perfidious antagonism everywhere prevailed ; for there was no v/ord binding enough, nor oath terrible enough to reconcile enemies. Each man was strong only in the conviction that nothing v/as secure ; he must look to his own safety, and could not afford to trust others. Inferior intellects generally succeeded best. For, aware of their own deficiencies, and fearing the capacity of their opponents, for whom they were no match in powers of speech, and whose subtle wits were likely to anticipate them in contriving evil, they struck boldly and at once. But the cleverer sort, presuming in their arrogance that they would be aware in time, and disdaining to act when they could think, were taken off their guard and easily destroyed. 84 Now in Corcyra most of these deeds were perpetrated, and for the first time. There was every crime which men could commit in revenge who had been governed not wisely, but tyrannically, and now had the oppressor at their mercy. There were the dishonest designs of others Placing the comma after fid^ovs instead of after int^igtaav rt.