Isocrates, On the Peace, George Norlin (Translator), 51

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[51] We are concerned about our polity no less than about the safety of the whole state and we know that our democracy flourishes and endures in times of peace and security while in times of war it has twice already been overthrown,¹ but we are hostile to those who desire peace as if suspecting them of favoring oligarchy,² while we are friendly to those who advocate war as if assured of their devotion to democracy.

On the Peace. Isocrates. George Norlin (Translator). Cambridge, MA. 1928.

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Current edition Perseus

On the Peace (English) (Isocrates, Vol 2. Norlin, George, translator. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1929 (printing).)

Editions (1)

Περὶ εἰρήνης Perseus (Isocrates, Vol 2. Norlin, George, editor. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1929 (printing).) — 51 focus

[51] σπουδάζοντες δὲ περὶ τὴν πολιτείαν οὐκ ἧττον ἢ περὶ τὴν σωτηρίαν ὅλης τῆς πόλεως, καὶ τὴν δημοκρατίαν εἰδότες ἐν μὲν ταῖς ἡσυχίαις καὶ ταῖς ἀσφαλείαις αὐξανομένην καὶ διαμένουσαν, ἐν δὲ τοῖς πολέμοις δὶς ἤδη καταλυθεῖσαν, πρὸς μὲν τοὺς τῆς εἰρήνης ἐπιθυμοῦντας ὡς πρὸς ὀλιγαρχικοὺς ὄντας δυσκόλως ἔχομεν, τοὺς δὲ τὸν πόλεμον ποιοῦντας ὡς τῆς δημοκρατίας κηδομένους εὔνους εἶναι νομίζομεν·

Notes on the current edition

On the Peace

1. By the oligarchical revolution of 411 B.C., when the government of the Four Hundred was established, and that of 404 B.C., when the reign of the Thirty began.

2. For example, Timotheus, who was no flatterer. See Isoc. 15.131 ff. Cf. Isoc. 15.318 .

Isocrates On the Peace 51

George Norlin (Translator)

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