§3.1Hoc loco libet interponere, etsi seiunctum ab re proposita est, nimia fiducia quantae calamitati soleat esse.
At this point, even if it is separate from the subject proposed, I would like to introduce how great a disaster excessive confidence is wont to be.
nam magistratuum Thebanorum statim ad aures pervenit exules in urbem venisse.
For it came immediately to the ears of the Theban magistrates that the exiles had come into the city.
id illi vino epulisque dediti usque eo despexerunt, ut ne quaerere quidem de tanta re laborarint.
Devoted to wine and feasting, they disregarded this to such an extent that they did not even trouble to inquire into so great a matter.
§3.2accessit quod etiam magis aperiret eorum dementiam.
There was added something which revealed their madness even more.
allata est enim epistula Athenis ab Archia, uno ex iis qui sacris praeerant Eleusinius, Archiae, qui tum maximum magistratum Thebis obtinebat, in qua omnia de profectione eorum perscripta erant.
For a letter was brought from Athens from Archias, one of those who presided over the Eleusinian rites, to Archias, who at that time held the chief magistracy at Thebes, in which everything about their departure had been written in detail.
quae cum iam accubanti in convivio esset data, sicut erat signata, sub pulvinum subiciens 'in crastinum' inquit 'differo res serias. ' §3.3at illi omnes, cum iam nox processisset, vinolenti ab exulibus duce Pelopida sunt interfecti.
When this had been delivered to him as he was already reclining at the banquet, slipping it under his cushion just as it was sealed, he said, "I defer serious matters until tomorrow." But they all, when night had already advanced, were slain, while drunk, by the exiles under the leadership of Pelopidas.
quibus rebus confectis, vulgo ad arma libertatemque vocato, non solum qui in urbe erant, sed etiam undique ex agris concurrerunt, praesidium Lacedaemoniorum ex arce pepulerunt, patriam obsidione liberarunt, auctores Cadmeae occupandae partim occiderunt, partim in exilium eiecerunt.
When these things were accomplished and the common people were called to arms and liberty, not only those who were in the city but also people from all sides from the fields ran together, drove the Lacedaemonian garrison from the citadel, freed their fatherland from siege, and of the authors of the seizure of the Cadmea, they killed some and drove others into exile.