18. I did not shirk any of the other expeditions nor the garrison duty,
but always marched with the foremost and retreated among the last. You
ought to estimate from such considerations, those who live well and in
order, and not hate a man for wearing his hair long. For habits of this
sort injure neither the private citizen nor the city at large, but you
are all benefited by those who meet the dangers of the enemy. 19. It is
not right to either love or hate a man on account of his looks. For many
who talk modestly and dress well have been the cause of great evils, and
others who pay no attention to these things have effected great good.
20. I see that some, members of the Boule, are dissatisfied because I, so
young a man, have ventured to speak before the people. I was compelled to
do so first on account of my case, and then I seem even to myself to be
somewhat more ambitiously disposed than I ought to be, both because I
remember my ancestors who never stopped working for the city, (21) and
because I perceive that you (for I must speak the truth) think that only
men of this sort are worth anything. So, seeing you have this opinion,
who could not be induced to work and speak in behalf of the city? Why,
then, should you be disgusted with men of this sort? For it is you and no
other people who judge them.