[44]
Yet this man, who in actual deed on those
momentous occasions shared his wealth with the people, but enjoyed only a
nominal and honorary immunity, will be robbed by you, not of his immunity, for
it is evident that he did not use it when he had it, but of his trust in you;
and what could be more discreditable than that? Now you shall hear the very
words of the decree then passed in his honor. And observe, men of Athens, how many decrees this law annuls,
how many individuals it wrongs, and what occasions they chose for making
themselves serviceable to you; for you will find that the law wrongs just the
men who least deserve it. Read. “
Decree
”
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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