History of the Peloponnesian War

”Therefore, what reasonable thing could we say to hold back ourselves, or what excuse could we make to our allies there for not helping them? We are bound to defend them, especially since we have sworn oaths to them, and not to object that they have not helped us in return. For we did not ally with them so that they might come here to help us in return, but so that by causing trouble for our enemies there, they might prevent them from coming here.

​It was in this way that we and all others who have ever ruled acquired our empire, by readily coming to the aid of those, whether barbarians or Greeks, who from time to time called upon us. For if all were to remain quiet or to make distinctions based on race as to whom they ought to help, we would add but little to our empire and would rather run the risk of losing this very empire itself. For one does not only defend oneself against a superior power when it attacks, but also takes precautions beforehand so that it will not attack.

​And it is not possible for us to regulate the extent to which we wish to rule, but since we have established ourselves in this position, it is necessary for us to plot against some and not to let go of others, because there is a danger of our being ruled by others if we ourselves do not rule over others. And you must not look upon quietness from the same viewpoint as others, unless you are also going to change your habits to match theirs.

​Therefore, reckoning that we shall rather increase our power at home if we go there, let us make the voyage, in order that we may humble the pride of the Peloponnesians, if we are seen to disregard the present quietness and sail even against Sicily. And at the same time, we shall in all probability either rule over the whole of Greece by adding those there to us, or at least we shall do harm to the Syracusans, by which both we ourselves and our allies will be benefited.

​And as for safety, both to remain if anything goes well and to depart, our ships will provide this; for we shall be masters of the sea even over all the Siceliots.

​And do not let the inactivity preached in Nicias’ speeches or his division of the young against the elder men turn you away, but in the accustomed order, just as our fathers, both young and old consulting together, raised our power to these heights, try now in the same way to advance the city. And believe that youth and old age can do nothing without each other, but that the ordinary, the average, and the highly refined, when blended together, will have the greatest strength, and that the city, if it remains quiet, will wear itself out against itself like anything else, and its knowledge in all things will grow old, whereas if it is always striving, it will constantly acquire experience and will make defending itself more habitual, not in word but rather in deed.

​In short, I judge that a city that is active would be most quickly ruined by a change to inactivity, and that those men live most securely who conduct their public life in least disagreement with their established habits and laws, even if they are somewhat inferior.”