§13.3.1ἐγένετο περὶ τὴν τοιαύτην κακοπραγμοσύνην, ἣν δὴ βασιλικὴν μὲν οὐδαμῶς οὐδεὶς ἂν εἶναι φήσειεν, ἀναγκαίαν δὲ βούλονται λέγειν ἔνιοι πρὸς τὸν πραγματικὸν τρόπον διὰ τὴν νῦν ἐπιπολάζουσαν κακοπραγμοσύνην.
A discussion arose concerning this kind of double-dealing, which indeed no one would ever say is kingly, but some wish to call necessary for practical conduct because of the double-dealing that now prevails.
§13.3.2οἱ μὲν γὰρ ἀρχαῖοι πολύ τι τοῦ τοιούτου μέρους ἐκτὸς ἦσαν· τοσοῦτο γὰρ ἀπηλλοτρίωντο τοῦ κακομηχανεῖν περὶ τοὺς φίλους χάριν τοῦ τῷ τοιούτῳ συναύξειν τὰς σφετέρας δυναστείας, ὥστʼ οὐδὲ τοὺς πολεμίους ᾑροῦντο διʼ ἀπάτης νικᾶν, §13.3.3ὑπολαμβάνοντες οὐδὲν οὔτε λαμπρὸν οὐδὲ μὴν βέβαιον εἶναι τῶν κατορθωμάτων, ἐὰν μή τις ἐκ τοῦ προφανοῦς μαχόμενος ἡττήσῃ ταῖς ψυχαῖς τοὺς ἀντιταττομένους.
For the ancients were far removed from this kind of practice; indeed, they were so far alienated from plotting evil against their friends for the sake of increasing their own power by such means, that they did not even choose to conquer their enemies by deceit, believing that none of their successes was either glorious or indeed secure, unless one, fighting openly, defeated the minds of those opposed to them.
§13.3.4διὸ καὶ συνετίθεντο πρὸς σφᾶς μήτʼ ἀδήλοις βέλεσι μήθʼ ἑκηβόλοις χρήσασθαι κατʼ ἀλλήλων, μόνην δὲ τὴν ἐκ χειρὸς καὶ συστάδην γινομένην μάχην ἀληθινὴν ὑπελάμβανον εἶναι κρίσιν πραγμάτων.
Therefore they also agreed among themselves neither to use hidden missiles nor far-darting ones against each other, and they considered only the hand-to-hand and close combat to be a true decision of affairs.
§13.3.5ᾗ καὶ τοὺς πολέμους ἀλλήλοις προύλεγον καὶ τὰς μάχας, ὅτε πρόθοιντο διακινδυνεύειν, καὶ τοὺς τόπους, εἰς οὓς μέλλοιεν ἐξιέναι παραταξόμενοι.
Wherefore they also declared to each other their wars and their battles, when they purposed to risk them, and the places into which they were to go out to draw up their forces.
§13.3.6νῦν δὲ καὶ φαύλου φασὶν εἶναι στρατηγοῦ τὸ προφανῶς τι πράττειν τῶν πολεμικῶν.
But now they say it is the mark of a poor general to do anything in war openly.
§13.3.7βραχὺ δέ τι λείπεται παρὰ Ῥωμαίοις ἴχνος ἔτι τῆς ἀρχαίας αἱρέσεως περὶ τὰ πολεμικά· καὶ γὰρ προλέγουσι τοὺς πολέμους καὶ ταῖς ἐνέδραις σπανίως χρῶνται καὶ τὴν μάχην ἐκ χειρὸς ποιοῦνται καὶ συστάδην.
But there remains still among the Romans some slight trace of the ancient policy concerning military matters; for they declare their wars, rarely use ambushes, and fight hand-to-hand and in close combat.
§13.3.8ταῦτα μὲν οὖν εἰρήσθω πρὸς τὸν ἐπιπολάζοντα νῦν ὑπὲρ τὸ δέον ἐν τῇ κακοπραγμοσύνῃ ζῆλον περὶ τοὺς ἡγουμένους ἔν τε ταῖς πολιτικαῖς καὶ πολεμικαῖς οἰκονομίαις.
Let this then be said with reference to the rivalry in double-dealing which now prevails beyond what is proper among leaders in both political and military administrations.