History of the Peloponnesian War

And the Corcyraeans, on hearing of their preparations, were alarmed; and being in alliance with none of the Greeks, and not having enrolled themselves in the league either of the Athenians or of the Lacedaemonians, they determined to go to the Athenians, and make alliance with them, and endeavour to obtain some assistance from them.

And the Corinthians, on hearing this, went themselves also to Athens on an embassy, to prevent the addition of the Athenian navy to that of the Corcyraeans being an impediment to their concluding the war as they wished.

And an assembly having been convened, they came to controversy; and the Corcyraeans spoke as follows:-

"It is but just, Athenians, that those who without any previous obligation, either of great benefit or alliance, come to their neighbours, as we now do, to beg their assistance, should convince them in the first place, [*]( This is perhaps the most convenient way of rendering the phrase μάλιστα μέν, when used, as it so often is, to draw attention to what appears the best thing of all, with εἰ δέ μή following for the second best, and answering to εἰ δυνατόν, sometimes expressed, but much more generally implied, in the former part of the alternative. Latin writers translate them by maxime quidem and sin minus. ) if possible, that they ask what is even expedient but if not that, at any rate what is not injurious; and in the second place, that they will also retain a lasting sense of the favour: and if they establish none of these points clearly, they should not be angry if they do not succeed.

Bat the Corcyraeans have sent us with a conviction that, together with their request for alliance, they will show that these points may be relied on by you.