On the Peace (131-135)

Wherefore these men would be most happy to see all of our citizens reduced to the condition of helplessness in which they themselves are powerful.[*] And the greatest proof of this is that they do not consider by what means they may provide a livelihood for those who are in need, but rather how they may reduce those who are thought to possess some wealth to the level of those who are in poverty.

What, then, is the way of escape from our present ills? I have already discussed most of the points which bear upon this question, not in sequence, but as each fell into its opportune place. But perhaps it will help you to hold them in memory if I attempt to bring together and review those which more than others press upon our attention.

The first way by which we can set right and improve the condition of our city is to select as our advisers on affairs of state the kind of men whose advice we should desire on our private affairs, and to stop thinking of the sycophants as friends of democracy and of the good men and true[*] among us as friends of oligarchy,[*] realizing that no man is by nature either the one or the other but that all men desire, in each case, to establish that form of government in which they are held in honor.

The second way is to be willing to treat our allies just as we would our friends and not to grant them independence in words, while in fact giving them over to our generals to do with as they please,[*] and not to exercise our leadership as masters but as helpers,[*] since we have learned the lesson that while we are stronger than any single state we are weaker than all Hellas.

And the third way is to consider that nothing is more important, save only to show reverence to the gods, than to have a good name among the Hellenes. For upon those who are so regarded they willingly confer both sovereign power and leadership.