Demosthenes, Letters
Norman W. DeWitt, Norman J. DeWitt, Ed.

If Moerocles¹ replies that this view is too subtle for his understanding, and that, to prevent them from running away, he put them in chains upon his own responsibility, demand of him why in the world he did not see the justice of this proceeding when Taureas, Pataecus, Aristogeiton and himself,² though they had been committed to prison, were not only not in chains but would even address the Assembly. [17] If, on the other hand, he shall say that he was not then archon, he had no right to speak, at any rate according to the laws.³ Accordingly, how can it be equal justice when some men are in office who have no right even to speak and others are in fetters whose father was useful to you in numerous ways? [18] I certainly cannot figure it out unless you mean to demonstrate this fact officially—that blackguardism, shamelessness and deliberate villainy are strong in the State and enjoy a better prospect of coming off safely, and that, if such men happen to get into a tight place, a way out is discovered, but to elect to live in honesty of principle, sobriety of life and devotion to the people will be hazardous and, if some false step is made, the consequences will be inescapable.