The Suppliants (420-445)

understanding. A poor hind, granted he be not all unschooled, would still be unable from his toil to give his mind to politics. Verily[*] the better sort count it no healthy sign when the worthless man obtains a reputation

by beguiling with words the populace, though aforetime he was naught.

This herald is a clever fellow, a dabbler in the art of talk. But since thou hast thus entered the lists with me, listen awhile, for ’twas thou didst challenge a discussion. Naught is more hostile to a city than a despot;

where he is, there are in the first place no laws common to all, but one man is tyrant, in whose keeping and in his alone the law resides, and in that case equality is at an end. But when the laws are written down, rich and poor alike have equal justice,

and[*] it is open to the weaker to use the same language to the prosperous when he is reviled by him, and the weaker prevails over the stronger if he have justice on his side. Freedom’s mark is also seen in this: Who[*] hath wholesome counsel to declare unto the state?

And he who chooses to do so gains renown, while he, who hath no wish, remains silent. What greater equality can there be in a city?

Again, where the people are absolute rulers of the land, they rejoice in having a reserve of youthful citizens, while a king counts[*] this a hostile element,

and strives to slay the leading men, all such as he deems discreet, for he feareth for his power. How then can a city remain stable, where one cuts short all[*] enterprise and mows down the young like meadow-flowers in spring-time?