Since, then, these latter have fallen in one day by a
twofold doom—each striking, each struck, both with the stain of a
brother’s murder—I now possess all the power and the throne according to
my kinship with the dead. Now, it is impossible to know fully any man’s character,
will, or judgment, until he has been proved by the test of rule and
law-giving. For if anyone who directs the entire city does not cling to
the best and wisest plans, but because of some
fear keeps his lips locked, then, in my judgment, he is and has long
been the most cowardly traitor. And if any man thinks a friend more
important than his fatherland, that man, I say, is of no account. Zeus,
god who sees all things always, be my witness— I would not be silent if I saw ruin, instead of safety,
marching upon the citizens. Nor would I ever make a man who is hostile
to my country a friend to myself, because I know this, that our country
is the ship that bears us safe, and that only when we sail her on a straight course can we make
true friends. Such are the rules by which I strengthen this city. Akin
to these is the edict which I have now published to the citizenry
concerning the sons of Oedipus: Eteocles, who fell fightingin behalf of our city and who excelled
all in battle, they shall entomb and heap up every sacred offering that
descends to the noblest of the dead below. But as for his brother,
Polyneices, I mean, who on his return from exile wanted to burn to the
ground the city of his fathers and his race’s gods, and wanted
to feed on kindred blood and lead the remnant into slavery—it has been
proclaimed to the city that no one shall give him funeral honors or
lamentation,