History of the Peloponnesian War

Why, even if they were guilty, you should pretend not to know it, to the end that the only class that is still friendly to us may not become hostile.

And it is, I think, far more conducive to the maintenance of our dominion, that we should willingly submit to be wronged, than that we should destroy, however justly, those whom we ought not to destroy. And whereas Cleon claims[*](cf. 3.40.4.) that this punishment combines justice and expediency, it appears that in such a policy the two cannot be combined.

“Do you, then, recognize that mine is the better course, and without being unduly swayed by either pity or clemency—for neither would I have you influenced by such motives—but simply weighing the considerations I have urged, accede to my proposal: pass sentence at your leisure upon the Mytilenaeans whom Paches sent here as guilty,[*](cf. 3.35.1.) but let the rest dwell in peace.

Such a course will be best for the future, and will cause alarm among our enemies at once; for he who is wise in counsel is stronger against the foe than he who recklessly rushes on with brute force.”