24. How then could you allow him to pass? As if he had done no wrong?
But he has been guilty of the greatest offenses against his country. That
he will improve? Then let him improve first and afterwards go into
political life; after he has done something as manifestly good as his
evil deeds were bad in the past. It is more prudent to show gratitude for
all his deeds, for it seems to me a dreadful thing if he shall escape
punishment for his past offenses and be rewarded for his good intentions.
25. But perhaps he should be examined that the citizens may be nobler if
they see all honored alike! But there is danger that if the good see the
bad held in equal honor they will cease from their upright mode of life,
thinking it is the same thing to honor bad men and pass by the good. 26.
But this is to be remembered, that if any one betrays a stronghold or
ships or a camp, in which there chance to be any citizens, he receives
the extreme penalty, while this man who betrayed the whole city is
planning not for punishment but for reward. So one who betrayed freedom
as evidently as this man did would justly be contending not for political
office, but against slavery and the greatest penalties.
27. But I hear that he says that if it was wrong that lie was not at hand
at that time, that a law would have expressly stated it, as about other
transgressions, For he does not think you will know that no law was
written about it on account of the enormity of the offense. For what
statesman ever thought of such a thing, or what lawgiver ever supposed a
citizen would commit such an offense? 28. For I suppose we are to think
if a man left the ranks not while his country was in danger, but while
she was acting on the offensive, that a law would be framed which
condemned him as guilty, but if he left the ranks while his country was
in danger, the law would not be framed. The fact is that such a law would
have been made, if any one had supposed that a citizen would commit such
a deed. 29. But who would not justly blame you if you reward the metics
for aiding the state as they were expected to, but do not punish this man
for betraying the state contrary to what was expected of him, if not by
some greater penalty, at least by the present dishonor? 30. But call to
mind the reasons which lead you to honor those men who were brave in
relation to the city and to punish those who were not. For both these
lines of conduct were followed as a sort of warning, not so much for the
past as for the future, that men may become good for some good reason,
and by no means attempt to be bad. 31. And besides, think how this man
would probably regard his oaths, if he actually betrayed his country's
gods. Or how would he make any useful law for the constitution, if he
wished his country to be deprived of her freedom? Or how would he keep
secret engagements, if he thought it right to disregard the regularly
appointed ones? How can it be probable that this man who never entered
danger even behind others, should be foremost in action and so now be
worthy of honor? But it would be a shame, if he cared nothing for all the
citizens while he is the one man whom you do not reject.
32. But I see some who now are in readiness to help him and beseech you,
since they cannot persuade you; but then, when yours were the dangers and
struggle and the prize was the democracy, and when you had to take
counsel not merely for legislation, but for freedom, then they did not
ask him to aid you and the commonwealth, and not betray the country and
the senate in which he now claims a seat, though he has no share in it
since others did the work. 33. Members of the Boule, he should not be
angry if he does not obtain this honor; for it is not you who dishonor
him, but he robbed himself at the time when he did not think it best to
establish himself among you as if contending for the senate as zealously
as he now comes as a candidate.
34. I think I have said enough, though leaving much unsaid. But I trust
that you yourselves will know without anything more what is for the
interest of the state. For you need not take any evidence but your own
about those who are worthy to legislate, as many of you as have passed
the examination for the state. For his conduct is an unprecedented
warning and contrary to all democracy.