I perceive, men of Athens , that the
 present outlook gives rise to much vexation and perplexity, because not only
 have we suffered serious losses, which cannot be mended by fine speeches, but
 there is also complete divergence of opinion about the preservation of what is
 left of our empire, one favoring this policy, another that. While deliberation is naturally a vexatious and difficult task, you, Athenians,
 have enhanced its difficulties; for all other people deliberate before the
 event, but you after the event. And the result is that, as long as I can
 remember, the man who attacks any mistakes you have made gains your applause as
 an able speaker, but meanwhile the events and the real object of your
 deliberation wholly escape you. Nevertheless, although this is so, I have come forward in the belief and
 confidence that, if you will consent to still the noise of faction and listen
 with the attention that befits men who are debating the most important interests
 of the state, I shall be able to offer you advice which will ameliorate our
 present condition and redeem our past losses. While I am well aware, Athenians, that to talk in this assembly about oneself and
 one’s own speeches is a very profitable practice, if one has the necessary
 effrontery, I feel that it is so vulgar and so offensive that, though I see the
 necessity, I shrink from it. I believe, however, that you will form a better
 judgement of what I am going to propose, if I remind you of a few things that I
 have said on former occasions. For in the first place, Athenians, when it was proposed to take advantage of the
 unrest in Euboea Through Philip’s intrigues a Macedonian party had been
 formed in the cities of Euboea .
 Plutarchus, the ruler of Eretria , applied to Athens for help against a rising. The request was supported
 by Eubulus and Midias, but opposed by Demosthenes. A force was sent under
 the command of Phocion and won a battle, but Plutarchus proved himself a
 traitor and was expelled from Eretria . and side with Plutarchus in a war that
 would bring us more expense than glory, I was the first and indeed the only
 speaker to oppose it, and I narrowly escaped being torn to pieces by those who
 induced you for trifling gains to commit many serious errors. It was not long
 before you incurred disgrace and suffered indignities According to the Scholiast, Plutarchus seized some of the
 Athenian troops and compelled Athens to ransom them for 50 talents. such as no men
 have ever received from those whom they have helped, and so you realized the
 baseness of those to whom you then gave ear and the wisdom of the advice you
 received from me.