Exordia

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.

[*](The beginning of Dem. 15 is identical.) I think it your duty, men of Athens, when deliberating about such important matters to allow freedom of speech to every one of your counsellors. For my own part, I have never at any time considered it difficult to make you understand what proposals are best—for, to put it simply, I think you all have decided that,—but only difficult to persuade you to act on these proposals. For when a measure has been approved and confirmed by a vote, it is then as far from being put into effect as before it was approved.