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[2] It follows that it was not a very wonderful action, or contrary to the common practice of mankind, if we did accept an empire that was offered to us, and refused to give it up under the pressure of three of the strongest motives, fear, honor, and interest. And it was not we who set the example, for it has always been the law that the weaker should be subject to the stronger. Besides, we believed ourselves to be worthy of our position, and so you thought us till now, when calculations of interest have made you take up the cry of justiceā€”a consideration which no one ever yet brought forward to hinder his ambition when he had a chance of gaining anything by might.

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  • Commentary references to this page (2):
    • E.C. Marchant, Commentary on Thucydides Book 1, 1.74
    • Harold North Fowler, Commentary on Thucydides Book 5, 5.82
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