History of the Peloponnesian War

Thucydides

Thucydides, Vol. 1-4. Smith, Charles Foster, translator. London and Cambridge, MA: Heinemann and Harvard University Press, 1919-1923.

Pay back like with like, determining that this is the supreme moment when assistance is cne truest friendship—opposition the worst hostility.

We beg you neither to accept the Corcyraeans as your allies in despite of us, nor to aid them in their wrong-doing.

And if you do this, you will not only be taking the fitting course, but will also be consulting your own best interests."