Isocrates, Archidamus, George Norlin (Translator), 5

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[5] I am amazed at those who think that we are fit to command ships of war and to lead armies in the field,¹ where bad judgement on our part would involve the state in many grave disasters, and yet do not think that we ought to express our views on matters which you are about to decide, wherein if we proved to be right we should benefit you all, while if, on the other hand, we failed of your assent we should ourselves perhaps suffer in reputation, but should not in any way impair the commonwealth.

Archidamus. Isocrates. George Norlin (Translator). Cambridge, MA. 1928.

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Current edition Perseus

To Archidamus (English) (Isocrates, Vol. 1. Norlin, George, translator. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd., 1928 (printing).)

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Ἀρχίδαμος Perseus (Isocrates, Vol. 1. Norlin, George, editor. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd., 1928 (printing).) — 5 focus

[5] θαυμάζω δʼ ὅσοι τριήρων μὲν ἡγεῖσθαι καὶ στρατοπέδων ἄρχειν ἀξιοῦσιν ἡμᾶς, ὑπὲρ ὧν μὴ καλῶς βουλευσάμενοι πολλαῖς ἂν συμφοραῖς καὶ μεγάλαις τὴν πόλιν περιβάλοιμεν, εἰπεῖν δʼ ἃ γιγνώσκομεν περὶ ὧν ὑμεῖς μέλλετε κρίνειν οὐκ οἴονται δεῖν ἡμᾶς, ἐν οἷς κατορθώσαντες μὲν ἅπαντας ὑμᾶς ὠφελήσομεν, διαμαρτόντες δὲ τῆς ὑμετέρας γνώμης αὐτοὶ μὲν ἴσως φαυλότεροι δόξομεν εἶναι, τὸ δὲ κοινὸν οὐδὲν ἂν ζημιώσαιμεν.

Notes on the current edition

Archidamus

1. Archidamus had commanded Spartan armies in 370 and 367. See Xen. Hell. 6.4.17 and vii. 1. 28.

Isocrates Archidamus 5

George Norlin (Translator)

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