For the Soldier

​In what manner I was delivered and fined, you know; but you must know not only the cause of the charge but also the pretext for the enmity. For I became a friend to Sostratus before their enmity arose, knowing that he had become a person of consequence in the city.

​And having become well-known through his influence, I neither punished an enemy nor benefited a friend; for while he lived, I was of necessity inactive because of my age, and when he departed this life, I harmed none of my accusers either in word or in deed. Indeed, I can also mention such facts from which it would be much more just for me to receive benefit from my opponents than to suffer ill.

​So, they built up their anger for the reasons already mentioned, although no real pretext for enmity existed. Having sworn to enroll those who had not served in the army, they violated their oaths and proposed to the assembly to deliberate on my person, ​fining me on the ground that I was abusing the magistrates, and disregarding justice, striving by every argument to harm me by force. They would have done anything if they were going to do me great harm and benefit themselves greatly, seeing that, although neither of these conditions is present, they regard everything as of less importance than doing injustice.

​But indeed, those who despised your multitude did not even deign to fear the gods, but behaved so carelessly and lawlessly that they did not even attempt to make a defense for their actions; and finally, thinking that I had not been punished enough, they at last drove me out of the city.

​And being disposed so lawlessly and violently, they made no account of concealing their injustice, but bringing me forward again on the same charges, they prove no wrongdoing on my part and abuse me, bringing inappropriate slanders against my practices, and against their own characters, those slanders that are natural and familiar to them.

​These men, then, are eager by every means to have me convicted in this suit; but do you neither be excited by their slanders to vote against me, nor make invalid the decisions of those who deliberated better and justly. For those men did everything both in accordance with the laws and in accordance with probability, and they are seen to have done no wrong, but to have made the greatest account of justice.

​When these men did me wrong, I was moderately angry, thinking that it is ordained to do harm to enemies and good to friends; but if I am deprived of justice by you, I should be much more deeply grieved. For I shall seem to have suffered ill not because of enmity, but because of the wickedness of the city.

​In word, then, I am contending about the registration, but in deed, about my citizenship. For if I obtain justice (and I trust in your judgment), I would remain in the city; but if I am misled by these men and unjustly convicted, I would flee away. For by what hope excited ought I to share in the citizenship, or what should I think, knowing the eagerness of my opponents, and being at a loss as to where I must obtain any justice?

​Therefore, making the highest account of justice, and remembering that you show forgiveness even for obvious wrongdoings, do not overlook those who have done no wrong falling unjustly into the greatest misfortunes because of enmities.