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ill effects。 Countless sources of revenue have failed； or if they have still
flowed in； been lavishly expended on a multiplicity of things。 Whereas；＇20＇
now that peace is established by sea； our revenues have expanded and the
citizens of Athens have it in their power to turn these to account as they
like best。
＇19＇ Reading ｛epanoskopoin｝。
＇20＇ Or； 〃But the moment peace has been restored。〃
But if you turn on me with the question； 〃Do you really mean that
even in the event of unjust attacks upon our city on the part of any； we are
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On Revenues
still resolutely to observe peace towards that offender？〃 I answer distinctly；
No！ But； on the contrary； I maintain that we shall all the more promptly
retaliate on such aggression in proportion as we have done no wrong to
any one ourselves。 Since that will be to rob the aggressor of his allies。＇21＇
＇21＇ Reading； after Cobet； ｛ei medena uparkhoimen adikountes｝。 Or；
if the vulgate ｛ei medena parakhoimen adikounta｝； transl。 〃if we can
show complete innocence on our own side。〃
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On Revenues
VI
But now； if none of these proposals be impracticable or even difficult
of execution； if rather by giving them effect we may conciliate further the
friendship of Hellas； whilst we strengthen our own administration and
increase our fame； if by the same means the people shall be provided with
the necessaries of life； and our rich men be relieved of expenditure on war；
if with the large surplus to be counted on； we are in a position to conduct
our festivals on an even grander scale than heretofore； to restore our
temples； to rebuild our forts and docks； and to reinstate in their ancient
privileges our priests； our senators； our magistrates； and our knights
surely it were but reasonable to enter upon this project speedily； so that we
too； even in our own day； may witness the unclouded dawn of prosperity
in store for our city。
But if you are agreed to carry out this plan； there is one further counsel
which I would urge upon you。 Send to Dodona and to Delphi； I would beg
you； and consult the will of Heaven whether such a provision and such a
policy on our part be truly to the interest of Athens both for the present
and for the time to come。 If the consent of Heaven be thus obtained； we
ought then； I say； to put a further question： whose special favour among
the gods shall we seek to secure with a view to the happier execution of
these measures？
And in accordance with that answer； let us offer a sacrifice of happy
omen to the deities so named； and commence the work； since if these
transactions be so carried out with the will of God； have we not the right to
prognosticate some further advance in the path of political progress for
this whole state？
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