Exordia

If only it might be, men of Athens, that, when assembling to discuss the present questions or any others, the seemingly best for you and the really best might be one and the same! It is your duty, however, when deliberating on matters of supreme importance and of general concern, to be willing to listen to all your counsellors, as it seems to me, thinking it shameful, men of Athens, to create an uproar now when a number of speakers wish to propose some measure, but later to enjoy hearing these same men denouncing what has been done.

I myself know, and I think you do too, that just now those please you most who express the same views that you yourselves wish to hear; but if something turns out contrary to what you now expect—and may this not be the case —that you will believe that these men have deceived you, while those whom you cannot now endure you will then think to be right. In reality, it is those who have done most to persuade you of the wisdom of the proposals which you are now considering who have most to gain by the opposition securing an opportunity to speak.

For if it shall be able to show that the proposals which seem best to these men are not the best, when as yet no mistake has been made, it will by so doing nullify their risks for them[*](They will be spared the anger of the Assembly: Dem. 14, conclusion); yet if it fails to persuade, they will later, at any rate, have no occasion to find fault, but, having obtained all that it was the duty of men to give, a hearing, they will rightly be content if defeated, and along with all the rest share in the outcome, whatever that maybe.