Phocion   

forward his opinions and suggestions of how the war should be conducted,
he could not forbear exclaiming, "O Chabrias, Chabrias, how grateful
I show myself for your friendship, in submitting to endure your son!"
Upon looking into public matters, and the way in which they were now
conducted, he observed that the administration of affairs was cut
and parcelled out, like so much land by allotment, between the military
men and the public speakers, so that neither these nor those should
interfere with the claims of the others. As the one were to address
the assemblies, to draw up votes and prepare motions, men, for example,
like Eubulus, Aristophon, Demosthenes, Lycurgus, and Hyperides, and
were to push their interests here; so, in the meantime, Liopithes,
Menestheus, Leosthenes, and Chares were to make their profit by war
and in military commands. Phocion, on the other hand, was desirous
to restore and carry out the old system, more complete in itself,
and more harmonious and uniform, which prevailed in the times of Pericles,
Aristides, and Solon; when statesmen showed themselves, to use Archilochus's
words-
"Mars' and the Muses' friends alike designed,
To arts and arms indifferently inclined."
and the presiding goddess of his country was, he did not fail to see,
the patroness and protectress of both civil and military wisdom. With
these views, while his advice at home was always for peace and quietness,
he nevertheless held the office of general more frequently than any
of the statesmen, not only of his own times, but of those preceding,
never, indeed, promoting or encouraging military expeditions, yet
never, on the other hand, shunning or declining, when he was called
upon by the public voice. Thus much is well known, that he was no
less than forty-five several times chosen general, he being never
on any one of those occasions present at the election, but having
the command, in his absence, by common suffrage, conferred on him,
and he sent for on purpose to undertake it. Insomuch that it amazed
those who did not well consider to see the people always prefer Phocion,
who was so far from humouring them or courting their favour, that
be always thwarted and opposed them. But so it was, as great men and
princes are said to call in their flatterers when dinner has been
served, so the Athenians, upon slight occasions, entertained and diverted
themselves with their spruce speakers and trim orators, but when it
came to action, they were sober and considerate enough to single out
the austerest and wisest for public employment, however much he might
be opposed to their wishes and sentiments. This, indeed, he made no
scruple to admit, when the oracle from Delphi was read, which informed
them that the Athenians were all of one mind, a single dissentient
only excepted, frankly coming forward and declaring that they need
look no further; he was the man; there was no one but he who was dissatisfied
with everything they did. And when once he gave his opinion to the
people, and was met with the general approbation and applause of the
assembly, turning to some of his friends, he asked them, "Have I inadvertently
said something foolish?"
Upon occasion of a public festivity, being solicited for his contribution
by the example of others, and the people pressing him much, he bade
them apply themselves to the wealthy; for his part he should blush
to make a present here, rather than a repayment there, turning and
pointing to Callicles, the money-lender. Being still clamoured upon
and importuned, he told them this tale. A certain cowardly fellow
setting out for the wars, hearing the ravens croak in his passage,
threw down his arms, resolving to wait. Presently he took them and
ventured out again, but hearing the same music, once more made a stop.
"For," said he "you may croak until you are tired, but you shall make
no dinner upon me."
The Athenians urging him at an unseasonable time to lead them out
against the enemy, he peremptorily refused, and being upbraided by
them with cowardice and pusillanimity, he told them, "Just now, do
what you will, I shall not be brave; and do what I will, you will
not be cowards. Nevertheless, we know well enough what we are." And