A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

All Mytilensans Guilty 215
but they have rebelled, and entering the ranks of our
bitterest enemies, have conspired with them to seek our
ruin. And surely this is far more atrocious than if they
had been led by motives of ambition to take up arms
against us on their own account. They learned nothing
from the misfortunes of their neighbors who had already
revolted and had been subdued by us, nor did the happiness
of which they were in the enjoyment make them
hesitate to court destruction. They trusted reckessly to
the future, and cherishing hopes which, if less than their
wishes, were greater than their powers, they went to war,
preferring might to right. No sooner did they seem likely
to win than they set upon us, although we were doing
them no wrong. Too swift and sudden a rise is apt to
make cities insolent, and in general, ordinar}^ good-fortune
is safer than extraordinary. Mankind apparently find it
easier to drive away adversity than to retain prosperity.
We should from the first have made no difference between
the Mytilenaeans and the rest of our allies, and then their
insolence would never have risen to such a height; for men
naturally despise those who court them, but respect those
who do not give way to them. Yet it is not too late to
punish them as their crimes deserve.
"And do not absolve the people while you throw the JJ^^P^^^^P^g^'
blame upon the nobles. For they were all of one mind are as guilty
when we were to be attacked. Had the people deserted feaders^.
the nobles and come over to us, they might at this moment
have been reinstated in their city; but they considered
that their safety lay in sharing the dangers of the oligarchy,
and therefore they joined in the revolt. Reflect: if you
impose the same penalty upon those of your allies who
wilfully rebel and upon those who are constrained by the
enemy, which of them will not revolt upon any pretext