21. Remember now, gentlemen of the jury, that when we sacrifice according
to the summaries, all the hereditary sacrifices are being attended to,
and when according to his copy, many of the sacrifices are omitted. Yet
this sacrilegious fellow runs around, saying that he copied for piety,
not economy, and this does not suit you, he says to strike it off, and
from this thinks to persuade you that he commits no offense, a man who
spent in two years twelve talents more than he ought, and tried to get
six talents a year out of the city, (22) and this, too, when he saw the
state embarrassed for funds, the Spartans threatening us when we did not
send money, the Boeotians making reprisals on us because we could not pay
two talents, the docks and the walls in need of repair. He knew, too,
that the Boule of the time being when it has sufficient money for
managing affairs does not fail, but when it is embarrassed, it is forced
to admit impeachments, and to confiscate the property of citizens, and to
follow the advice of those speakers who give the worst counsel. 23.
Gentlemen of the jury, it is not right to blame those who happen to be
members of the Boule at each session, but those who bring the state into
such difficulty. Those who desire to plunder the state are interested to
see how Nicomachus will come out; if you do not punish him, you will
render them fearless; and if condemning him you shall punish him with
death, by the same vote you will make the rest better, and exact the
penalty from him. 24. And you should know, gentlemen of the jury, that it
will be a warning to others not to dare to wrong you, not because you
punish those who are not eloquent, but as you punish those who are. For
who in this city is more liable to punishment than Nicomachus? Who has
done less good or more harm to the city than he? 25. He, who, appointed
commissioner of laws relating to private life and religious duties,
tampered with both. You remember to have put many citizens to death for
embezzlement. Yet they injured you only so much as for the time being,
but this man, while transcribing the laws and making gain of the sacred
money, injures the state for all time.
26. And why should any one acquit him? On the ground of his being a man
brave against the enemy in many land and naval battles? But while you
sailed off and risked yourselves, he remained here and tampered with the
laws of Solon. Because he has spent his money, and many, many
contributions? But he never gave you anything, but took much of your
revenue. 27. On account of his ancestry? For some formerly were pardoned
by you on this account. But this man should die on his own account, and
be sold as a slave on theirs. But that he will pay you if you spare him?
He who has no remembrance of your former favors to him. For from a slave
he became a citizen, from a pauper a rich man, from an under-copyist a
commissioner. 28. One could accuse you that your ancestors chose as
lawgivers a Solon, a Themistocles, and a Pericles, thinking that the laws
would be like those who proposed them, while you (chose) a Tisamenus, son
of Mechanion, and a Nicomachus, and other under-clerks; and you think
offices are degraded by such men, and yet trust in them. 29. Here is the
strangest thing of all; the same man may not be under-clerk twice in the
same year, but you allow the same men to be in charge of the most
important matters for a long time. And finally you chose Nicomachus
commissioner of traditional laws, who has no part in the state on his
father's side. 30. And the very one who ought to have decided for the
people plainly joined in the plot against the democracy. Now you should
regret what you have done, and not endure continuous injury at their
hands, nor merely in private charge offenders, and then acquit them when
you can punish them.
31. I have said enough of these matters, but I wish to say a few words
about those who intend to beg him off. There are some ready to plead for
him, both of his friends and those who manage state affairs. I am sure
some of these would do better to defend their own deeds than to go out of
their way to save offenders. 32. And I think it remarkable, gentlemen of
the jury, that they have not tried to persuade him, a man standing by
himself, and in no way wronged by the state, that he must cease injuring
you, but they are seeking to persuade you, who are so many and have been
wronged by him, that you need not exact a penalty from him. 33. So, as
you see these trying to save their friends so zealously, you should
likewise punish your enemies, well knowing that these first of all will
think you better men when you punish offenders. And bear in mind that
neither Nicomachus nor any of his helpers has ever aided the state as
much as he has wronged it, so that you have much more reason to punish
him than to aid them. 34. These same men must realize that by entreating
the accusers they in no way persuaded us, but have entered the court to
tamper with your votes, and they hope by deceiving you to gain the
liberty for the future of doing whatever they wish. 35. We refused to be
bribed by them, and we call on you for the same, and hate baseness merely
before the trial, but during the trial punish those who degrade your
legislation. For in this way everything in the state will be managed in
accordance with law.