History of the Peloponnesian War

But if they had been honest men (as they themselves say they are), by how much the less they are obnoxious to accusation, so much the more means they have, by giving and taking what is due, to make their honesty appear.

"But they are not such, neither towards others nor towards us. For being our colony, they have not only been ever in revolt, but now they also make war upon us and say they were not sent out to be injured by us.

But we say again that we did not send them forth to be scorned by them but to have the leading of them and to be regarded by them as is fit.

For our other colonies both honour and love us much: