[5]
Moreover, although those who have never yet seen such a friendship
turn out well or have severely condemned themselves on the ground that they
would be incapable of associating innocently with casual acquaintances, it is
perhaps not unreasonable to entertain this prejudice1; but for those so disposed as yourself, who
have not utterly refused to hear how very many benefits accrue through love
without shame and have lived the rest of their lives with the utmost
circumspection, it is not reasonable to have even a suspicion that they would do
anything shameful.
1 He means the prejudice against any compromise with associations that might lead to homosexuality, variously known as boy-love, Greek love or Doric love.
Demosthenes. Demosthenes with an English translation by Norman W. DeWitt, Ph.D., and Norman J. DeWitt, Ph.D. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1949.
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