Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/195

 ii] SPEECH OF MCI AS 1 87 ' I should say that the Sicihan cities are not dangerous to you, — certainly not in their present The Sicilians, if they condition, and they would be even less ""'"' "'" "'""^'^ ""' SO if they were to fall under the sway ^^,^^ „^-^„ ^,„„^ f,,^„,„^ of" the Syracusans (and this is the pro- they would fear that a spect with which the Egestaeans would '""'^'•^ ^^"^ "'j^^ • 1 • • 1 1 make war upon theni. fam scare you). At present individuals j,^^ /^^^ ^„ ^„^„^y ^^ might cross the sea out of friendship known, the more he is for the Lacedaemonians ; but if the f""^- Fan,iiia,ity - „. ., ,, -^ J • makes yon despise States of Sicily were all united in one ^,^^ Lacedaemonians, empire they would not be likely to but they are biding their make war upon another empire. For "'^• whatever chance they may have of overthrowing us if they unite with the Peloponnesians, there will be the same chance of their being overthrown themselves if the Pelo- ponnesians and Athenians are ever united against them ^. The Hellenes in Sicily will dread us most if we never come; in a less degree if we display our strength and speedily depart ; but if any disaster occur, they will despise us and be ready enough to join the enemies who are attacking us here. We all know that men have the greatest respect for that which is farthest oft', and for that of which the reputation has been least tested ; and this, Athenians, you may verify by your own experience. There was a time when you feared the Lacedaemonians and their allies, but now you have got the better of them, and because your first fears have not been realised you despise them, and even hope to conquer Sicily. But you ought not to be elated at the chance mishaps of your enemies ; before you can be confident you should have gained the mastery over their minds'". Remember that the Lacedaemonians are sensitive to their disgrace, and that their sole thought is how they may even yet find a way of inflicting a blow upon us which will retrieve their own character ; the rather because they have laboured so ' Cp. viii. 46. ^ Cp. ii. 87 init. ; vi. 72 init.