The Good Book_ A Secular Bible - A. C. Grayling [237]
27. ‘I am aware that I offend you by keeping a light burning.’
28. Witty too was Xenaenetus’ rejoinder to the citizens who reviled him for running away when he was general:
29. ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘it was to keep you company, my dears.’
30. But in jesting one must guard against going too far, perhaps offending by jesting at the wrong moment or humiliating the speaker.
31. Polyeuctus said that Demosthenes was the greatest orator, but that Phocion was the cleverest in speaking, because his speech contained the most meaning in the fewest words.
32. And Demosthenes, though he affected to despise other orators, used to say when Phocion rose to speak, ‘The cleaver of my speeches is getting up.’
33. In sum then, the aspiring statesman must, in addressing the people, seek to employ well-considered, not empty, speech,
34. And to use precaution, knowing that even the great Pericles used to prepare carefully before making a public speech,
35. So that no single utterance foreign to the matter in hand might occur to him.
36. Yet also the orator must always keep his speech nimble and in good practice for making apt rejoinders;
37. For occasions arise quickly and often bring with them in public affairs sudden developments.
38. That is why Demosthenes was inferior to many, as they say, because he drew back and hesitated when the occasion called for the opposite course.
39. And Theophrastus tells us that Alcibiades, because he planned not only to say the right thing, but to say it in the right way,
40. Often while actually speaking would search for words and arrange them into sentences, thereby causing hesitation and stumbling.
41. But the man who is so moved by events and the opportunities they offer that he springs to his feet is the one who most thrills the crowd and carries it with him.
42. And the statesman must bring to the struggle of statecraft, a struggle which is important, and calls for all one’s fighting power,
43. Not just education and forethought, but good health and stamina, that he may not be frequently so weary that he is defeated by mere hecklers.
44. Cato, when he had no hope of winning his cause by persuasion because the senate was gained over beforehand by favours and interests,
45. Used to get up and speak the whole day, thus destroying his opponents’ opportunity, and showing the worth of stamina.
Chapter 19
1. There are two entrances to public life and two paths leading to it:
2. One the quick and brilliant road to reputation, by no means without risk; the other more prosaic and slower, but safer.
3. For some men launch out at once into political life with some conspicuous great or daring action,
4. Like men who launch a vessel from a promontory that juts out into the sea;
5. They think Pindar is right in saying ‘To a work’s beginning we must set a front that shines afar.’
6. People are more ready to accept a beginner because they are surfeited with those they are accustomed to,
7. Just as spectators at a show are glad to see a new performer; and authority and power that has a brilliant and rapid growth takes envy’s breath away.
8. For, as Ariston says, fire does not cause smoke, nor does reputation cause envy, if it blazes up quickly at the start;
9. But those who grow great gradually and slowly are attacked one from one side, another from another;
10. Hence many men wither away before coming to full bloom as statesmen.
11. Remember Pompey, who demanded a Triumph although he had not yet been admitted to the senate;
12. When Sulla voted against it, Pompey said to him, ‘More welcome the rising than the setting sun’;
13. And Sulla, when he heard this, withdrew his opposition.
14. Nowadays, when the affairs of states less often involve leadership in wars, the overthrowing of tyrannies, acts of alliances,
15. What opening for a conspicuous and brilliant public career could a young man find?
16. There remain the public lawsuits, and embassies abroad,
17. Which demand a man of ardent temperament