History of the Peloponnesian War

"We can no longer, allies, find fault with the Lacedaemonians, as not having both themselves voted for war, and now brought us together for this purpose: [*]( The γὰρ in the succeeding words, χρὴ γὰρ τοὺς ἡγεμόνας, refers to a suppressed sentence: "We cannot now blame them; but had they acted differently, we should have had a right to blame them; for those who command others should provide for the welfare of others:—Arnold.) [though we should have blamed them if they had not done so]. For it is the duty of leaders, while they conduct their private affairs on a footing of equality, to provide for the interests of all; as they are also in other respects honoured above all.