HERMOCRATES

I do not blame those who wish to rule the Athenians, but those who are over-ready to serve.

If everlasting peace be impossible between us, let us at all events make a treaty for as long a term as possible, and put off our private differences to another day.

Vengeance is not necessarily successful because wrong has been done, or strength sure because it is confident; but the incalculable element in the future has the widest influence, and is the most treacherous, and yet in fact the most useful of all things, as it frightens us all equally, and thus makes us consider before attacking each other.

I do not blame those who wish to rule the Athenians, but those who are over-ready to serve.

Vengeance is not necessarily successful because wrong has been done, or strength sure because it is confident; but the incalculable element in the future has the widest influence, and is the most treacherous, and yet in fact the most useful of all things, as it frightens us all equally, and thus makes us consider before attacking each other.

If everlasting peace be impossible between us, let us at all events make a treaty for as long a term as possible, and put off our private differences to another day.