Exordia

Moreover, I for my part regard as stern accusers of the wrongdoers, not those who scrutinize their past actions on such occasions as this, when they will pay no penalty, but those who prove able to offer such advice as may effect some amelioration of our present situation; for with the help of these men it would also be possible at your leisure[*](Or, when you are at peace.) to bring those guilty men to justice.

Accordingly, I consider all other topics to be out of place but shall attempt to tell you what I think would be expedient in the matters you are now considering, making this request only: if after all I do make mention of any of those things done in the past, do not think that I am speaking by way of accusation, but in order that, having shown you wherein you then erred, I may now avert your suffering the same misfortune again.

If all along, men of Athens, we had been as peaceful as at this moment, playing into the hands of no politician,[*](On subservience to politicians see Dem. 3.30-32, the reference is to Aeschines; the opening lines seem to refer to the Amphissian War of 339 B.C. and its sequels: Dem. 17.142-153.) I believe that the events which now have happened would never have taken place and that in many other respects we should be in better shape. But of late, because of the high-handedness of some men, it is impossible either to come forward or speak, or in general to get in a word.[*](For organized interruptions in the Assembly see Dem. 13.20 and Dem. 2.29-30.)