1Many speeches are made, men of Athens, at almost every meeting of the Assembly, with reference to the aggressions which Philip has been committing, ever since he concluded the Peace, not only against yourselves but against all other peoples.
2And I am sure that all would agree, however little they may act on their belief, that our aim, both in speech and in action, should be to cause him to cease from his insolence and to pay the penalty for it.
3And yet I see that in fact the treacherous sacrifice of our interests has gone on, until what seems an ill-omened saying may, I fear, be really true — that if all the speakers had desired to propose, and you to vote, the measures which would make your position as pitiful as possible, it could not, I believe, have been made worse than it is now.
4It may be that there are many reasons for this, and that our affairs did not reach their present condition from any single cause. But if you examine the matter aright, you will find that the chief responsibility rests with those whose aim is to win your favour, not to propose what is best.
5First, men of Athens, if you see the power and the extent of Philip's dominion, and if you think that this implies no danger to our city, and that it is not directed against you, I am amazed.
6But I beg you, one and all, to hear from me the reasoning by which I have reached the opposite conclusion, and why I regard Philip as a danger; that, if I appear to show the greater foresight, you may follow my advice; if those who feel confidence and trust in Philip, you may give your adherence to them.
7This, then, is what I say to you, men of Athens. Philip cannot rest content with what he has subdued. He is always grasping after more, and spreading his nets around us on every side, while we sit idle and do nothing.
8When, men of Athens, when will you act as becomes you? What are you waiting for? Until you are compelled, I presume. But what are we to think of what is happening now? For my own part, I think that for a free people there can be no greater compulsion than shame for their position.
9Or tell me, are you content to run around and ask one another, 'Is there any news?' Could there be any greater news than that a man of Macedon is subduing the Athenians and directing the affairs of the Hellenes?
10The whole future is at stake. Put on then the spirit of your ancestors, recalling the battles they fought and the victories they won, and stand with me to defend the rights of all. For what is past can never be recalled, but the future is yet in your power.
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