Isocrates, Antidosis, George Norlin (Translator), 317

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[317] thinking that by their bravado and contentiousness they would be able to preserve the rule of the people,¹ while because of the meanness of their origin they would not become overweening nor ambitious² to overturn the constitution. And since this change has taken place, what calamity has not been visited upon the city? What great misfortunes have these depraved natures failed to bring to pass through their speech and through their actions?

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

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Current edition Perseus

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

Editions (1)

Περὶ ἀντιδόσεως Perseus (Isocrates, Vol 2. Norlin, George, editor. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1929 (printing).) — 317 focus

[317] οἰηθέντες ταῖς μὲν τόλμαις καὶ ταῖς φιλαπεχθημοσύναις ἱκανοὺς αὐτοὺς ἔσεσθαι διαφυλάττειν τὴν δημοκρατίαν, διὰ δὲ τὴν φαυλότητα τῶν ἐξ ἀρχῆς αὐτοῖς ὑπαρξάντων οὐ μέγα φρονήσειν οὐδʼ ἐπιθυμήσειν ἑτέρας πολιτείας. ἐκ ταύτης τῆς μεταβολῆς τί τῶν δεινῶν οὐ συνέπεσε τῇ πόλει, τί δὲ τῶν μεγίστων κακῶν οἱ ταύτην ἔχοντες τὴν φύσιν οὐ καὶ λέγοντες καὶ πράττοντες διετέλεσαν;

Notes on the current edition

Antidosis

1. That is, vigilance exercised by loud-mouthed demagogues is the price of liberty.

2. Cf. Dem. 13.173 : ἔστι δ′ οὐδέποτ′, οἶμαι, δυνατὸν μικρὰ καὶ φαῦλα πράταττοντας μέγα καὶ νεανικὸν φρόνημα λαβεῖν.

Isocrates Antidosis 317

George Norlin (Translator)

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