History of the Peloponnesian War

The late sea-fight, Peloponnesians, if owing to it any one be afraid of this before us, affords no just [*]( Literally, "no ground for drawing this conclusion, so as to alarm him;' the infinitive τὸ ἐκφοβῆσαι being explanatory of τέκμαρσιν.) grounds for his alarm. For it was deficient, as you know, in preparation;

and we were sailing not so much for a naval engagement as for a land expedition. It happened too that not a few of the chances of war were against us; while partly, perhaps, our inexperience caused our failure, as it was our first battle by sea. It was not then through our cowardice that we experienced the defeat;

nor is it right that our spirits, which were not crushed by force, but still retain a measure of [*](ʼἀντιλογίαν is opposed to "the acknowledgment of our own defeat,' and signifies literally making answer; maintaining the quarrel. —Arnold Compare the use of our word controversy, by which it may generally be rendered, in Shakspeare's Julius Caesar. The torrent roar'd, and we did buffet itWith lusty sinews; throwing it aside,And stemming it with hearts of controversy.) defiance to the enemy, should lose their edge from the result of that mishap. We should rather think, that men may indeed be overthrown by mere chances, but that in spirit the same men ought always to be brave; and that while their courage remains, they cannot reasonably on any occasion act like cowards under the cloak of inexperience.

In your case, however, you are not so far inferior to the enemy, even through your inexperience, as you are superior to him in daring. As for their skill, of which you are most afraid, if indeed it be joined with courage, it will also be accompanied with presence of mind in danger to execute what it has learned; but without gallantry no art whatever is of any avail in the face of perils. For fear banishes presence of mind; and art without bravery is good for nothing.

Against their greater experience then put your own greater daring; against your fear in consequence of your defeat put the fact of your having then been unprepared;

and there is in your favour a clear balance of superior numbers, and of engaging off your own coast in the presence of your heavy-armed; and victory, generally speaking, declares for those who are the more numerous and better appointed.

On no one single ground then do we find it probable that we should be defeated. As for the blunders we committed before, the very fact of their having been committed will now teach us a lesson.

With good courage, therefore, both steersmen and sailors, do every man your own duty, without leaving the post assigned to each.

And we will prepare for the engagement not worse than your former commanders; and will give no one any excuse for being a coward: but if any one should wish to be one, he shall be visited with the punishment he deserves; while the brave shall be honoured with the rewards befitting their bravery.