Book II - Wilbourhall.org

APPENDIX III. 25186. (1) First I will refer to our ancestors ; for it is a dutyIntroduction to ^^ owe both to them and to ourselves on suchthe main part of an occasion as this to pay a respectful tributethe speech. ^^ their memory. They dwelt in this land fromtime immemorial and by their valour handed it down to usthrough successive generations, so that we found it free. (2)But if they are worthy of praise, still more w orthy are ourfathers ; who in addition to their own inheritance bequeathed tous this vast empire of ours which they acquired after manystruggles. (3) As for what remained to be done, we who standhere now, most of us still in the full vigour of life, have ourselvesimproved our empire, and thus v e have made our cityin all respects quite able to maintain herself both in peace andwar. (4) Of their deeds in the field, by vhich the variousparts of the empire were gained, of the vigour with which weor our fathers protected that empire from the invader, whetherforeigner or Greek, I will say nothing, since you know thestory, and it would be tedious to j-ou. But before proceedingto praise the dead, I will explain the principles to which weowe our position, and show under what constitution andthrough what system of life our greatness was gained. Sucha statement is, in my opinion, appropriate to the occasion, andprofitable for this vast gathering of citizens and strangers tolisten to with attention.87. (1) Our constitution does not compete with the institutionsof our neighbours ; they copy us, but we^^sr^h ^^ "°* *^°Py ^^^"^- -As the government is inthe hands of the majority and not of the few,it is called a democracy. But the law gives all an equal rightto protect their interests ; while, as regards the recognition ofpersonal claims, anyone who is in any way distinguished isselected for office on account of his merit without regard tohis rank. Poverty again does not exclude a man, if, though ofhumble position, he can benefit his country. (2) In our dailyintercourse we are as tolerant as in our public life Whenmen meet one another in the ordinary course of life, they areapt to regard one another with suspicion ; but we are notangry with our neighbour for doing as he pleases, r.or do weput on a sullen look which, if harmless, is none the less vexing.(3) While we are at our ease in private society, we are mostcareful to restrain ourselves in our public acts : we respectthose who l^ear office, and all the laws, but especially thosewhich have for their object the protection of the injured andthose unwritten laws which all think it disgraceful to transgress.88. (1) Moreover we have procured for oar minds many