History of the Peloponnesian War

"Bearing these favours in mind—let every young man here be told of them by one who is older—do you consider it your duty to requite us with the like. And do not think that this course is indeed equitable to urge in a speech, but that another course is advantageous if you come to war.

For advantage is most likely to result when one errs least, and the contingency of the war, with which the Corcyraeans would frighten you into wrongdoing, is still uncertain; and it is not worth while for you to be so carried away by it as to acquire an enmity with the Corinthians that will be from that moment on a manifest fact and no longer a contingency. It would be, rather, the prudent course to remove something of the suspicion which has heretofore existed on account of the Megarians[*](Referring apparently to the exclusion of the Megarians from all harbours within the Athenian dominion and from the market at Athens, Thuc. 1.67.4.);

for the favour which comes last, if conferred at the right moment, even though a small one, can cancel a greater offence.

Nor ought you to be tempted by their offer of a great naval alliance; for to refrain from wronging equals is a surer strength than to be carried away by present appearances and seek an advantage by incurring dangers.