On The Crown   

actual facts, (_to the clerk_) read me this; and take and recite the list
of the expeditions sent out in accordance with my decrees.

[_The list of expeditions is read]_

{306} These measures, and others like them, Aeschines, were the measures
which it was the duty of a loyal and gallant citizen to take. If they were
successful, it was certain that we should be indisputably the strongest
power, and that with justice as well as in fact: and now that they have
resulted otherwise, we are left with at least an honourable name. No man
casts reproach either upon the city, or upon the choice which she made:
they do but upbraid Fortune, who decided the issue thus. {307} It was not,
God knows, a citizen's duty to abandon his country's interests, to sell
his services to her opponents, and cherish the opportunities of the enemy
instead of those of his country. Nor was it, on the one hand, to show his
malice against the man who had faced the task of proposing and moving
measures worthy of the city, and persisting in that intention; while, on
the other hand, he remembered and kept his eyes fixed upon any private
annoyance which another had caused him: nor was it to maintain a wicked
and festering inactivity, as you so often do. {308} Assuredly there is an
inactivity that is honest and brings good to the State--the inactivity
which you,[n] the majority of the citizens, observe in all sincerity. But
that is not the inactivity of Aeschines. Far from it! He, on the contrary,
retires just when he chooses, from public life (and he often chooses to do
so), that he may watch for the moment when you will be sated with the
continual speeches of the same adviser, or when fortune has thrown some
obstacle in your path, or some other disagreeable event has happened (for
in the life of man many things are possible); and then, when such an
opportunity comes, suddenly, like a gale of wind, out of his retirement he
comes forth an orator, with his voice in training, and his phrases and his
sentences collected; and these he strings together lucidly, without
pausing for breath, though they bring with them no profit, no accession of
anything good, but only calamity to one or another of his fellow citizens,
and shame to all alike. {309} Surely, Aeschines, if all this practice and
study sprang from an honest heart, resolved to pursue the interests of
your country, the fruits of it should have been noble and honourable and
profitable to all--alliances of cities, supplies of funds, opening of
ports,[n] enactment of beneficial laws, acts of opposition to our proved
enemies. {310} It was for all such services that men looked in bygone
days; and the past has offered, to any loyal and gallant citizen, abundant
opportunities of displaying them: but nowhere in the ranks of such men
will you ever be found to have stood--not first, nor second, nor third,
nor fourth, nor fifth, nor sixth, nor in any position whatsoever; at
least, not in any matters whereby your country stood to gain. {311} For
what alliance has the city gained by negotiations of yours? What
assistance, what fresh access of goodwill or fame? What diplomatic or
administrative action of yours has brought new dignity to the city? What
department of our home affairs, or our relations with Hellenic and foreign
states, over which you have presided, has shown any improvement? Where are
your ships? Where are your munitions of war? Where are your dockyards?
Where are the walls that you have repaired? Where are your cavalry? Where
in the world _is_ your sphere of usefulness? What pecuniary assistance
have you ever given, as a good and generous fellow citizen,[n] either to
rich or poor? {312} 'But, my good sir, 'you say, 'if I have done none of
these things, I have at least given my loyalty and goodwill.' Where? When?
Why, even at a time when all who ever opened their lips upon the platform
contributed voluntarily to save the city, till, last of all, Aristonicus
gave what he had collected to enable him to regain his civil rights--even
then, most iniquitous of men! you never came forward or made any
contribution whatever: and assuredly it was not from poverty, when you had
inherited more than five talents out of the estate of your father-in-law
Philo, and had received two talents subscribed by the leaders of the Naval
Boards,[n] for your damaging attack upon my Naval Law.[n] {313} But I will
say no more about this, lest by passing from subject to subject I should