[26]
Now take the large fortunes which,
according to our opponents, some citizens will amass if relieved of the
services, but which I will show to be available for your needs. For of course
you are aware that no one is exempt from the equipment of war-galleys or from
the special contributions for war. So this person, whoever he may be, who owns
much, contributes much to those objects; there is no getting out of it. And
again, all would agree that the resources which the State can rely on for these
objects should be as great as possible. For money spent by the chorus-masters
affords those of us who are in the theater gratification for a fraction of a
day; but money lavished on equipment for war gives security to the whole city
for all time.
Demosthenes. Demosthenes with an English translation by C. A. Vince, M. A. and J. H. Vince, M.A. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1926.
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