Exordia

[*](The beginning of Philippic 1 (Dem. 4) differs but slightly from this.) If it had been proposed to discuss some new measure, men of Athens, I should have waited until most of the regular speakers had declared their opinions, and if any of their views had pleased me, I should have held my peace; otherwise, I should then have attempted to say what I myself think. But since you are now considering matters on which these speakers have often spoken before, I feel that, even if the first to rise, I may reasonably appear to be speaking after them.

Now, if our interests were prospering, there would be no need to deliberate; but since, as you all observe, they are in straits, I shall try, on that assumption, to advise what I consider best. In the first place, you ought to recognize that none of the policies you pursued while engaged in the war are to be used henceforth, but quite their opposites.[*](Similar advice is given in Dem. 8.38. Cf. Dem. 2.23.) For if those policies have brought your fortunes low, it is very likely that their opposites will improve them.[*](This advice is satirically tendered to Dionysus by Euripides in Aristoph. Frogs 1446-1450.)