Philip

And Philip, laughing, said, "You see, Alexander, that one must not vex good poets nor formidable prose-writers, since they are lords of whatever they choose to say about us.

When Ctesiphon returned from his mission, he first reported to you on the matters for which he was sent, and then in addition he said that Philip declared that he had gone to war with you against his own will, and that he wished, even now, to be rid of the war.

What does this mean, Philip?

But since I then did decide to concern myself your affairs, in the interests of my own state and of the other Greeks as well, I should be ashamed if, when comparatively unimportant things were the issue, I am known to have offered you advice, yet now I should have nothing to say concerning more urgent matters, particularly since I realize that in the former case your reputation alone was at stake, …

Though formerly you confined yourselves to the charges I have mentioned, your arrogance is now such that, when the people of Peparethus complained of the latest outrage, you instructed your general to demand redress from me on their behalf.

"But you," he said, "the rest of the envoys, report to the Athenians that those who say such things are far prouder than he who hears them said and lets them go unpunished.

Did the Lacedaemonians, when Philip threatened them by letter that he would hinder all that they should attempt, ask whether he would hinder them even from dying?

For of course he will deny that he is attacking us, just as he denied that he was attacking the men of Oreus, when his troops were already in their territory, or the Pheraeans before that, when he was actually assaulting their walls, or the Olynthians at the start, until he was inside their frontier with his army.

I am amazed if none of you thinks that it is a disgraceful thing for the people of Athens, who are supposed to be superior to all men in understanding and culture and have also maintained here for the unfortunate a common refuge in all ages, to show themselves less considerate than Philip, who, although naturally subject to no correction, nursed as he was, in licence, still thought that at the mom …

In the Assembly you solemnly cursed Philip;

"One just man does not suffice against so many armed desires, no one can at the same time play both the good man and the good general.

" And we have now come to Philip, who, roused by the hope of seeing the Father, and not understanding how he had heard that the Father was seen, "Show us the Father," he says, "and it suffices us.