第 6 节
作者:
朝令夕改 更新:2023-08-22 20:44 字数:9322
one another out of malice or enmity; but they were unfortunate。 And that
such was the fact we ourselves are witnesses; who are of the same race with
them; and have mutually received and granted forgiveness of what we have
done and suffered。 After this there was perfect peace; and the city had
rest; and her feeling was that she forgave the barbarians; who had severely
suffered at her hands and severely retaliated; but that she was indignant
at the ingratitude of the Hellenes; when she remembered how they had
received good from her and returned evil; having made common cause with the
barbarians; depriving her of the ships which had once been their salvation;
and dismantling our walls; which had preserved their own from falling。 She
thought that she would no longer defend the Hellenes; when enslaved either
by one another or by the barbarians; and did accordingly。 This was our
feeling; while the Lacedaemonians were thinking that we who were the
champions of liberty had fallen; and that their business was to subject the
remaining Hellenes。 And why should I say more? for the events of which I
am speaking happened not long ago and we can all of us remember how the
chief peoples of Hellas; Argives and Boeotians and Corinthians; came to
feel the need of us; and; what is the greatest miracle of all; the Persian
king himself was driven to such extremity as to come round to the opinion;
that from this city; of which he was the destroyer; and from no other; his
salvation would proceed。
And if a person desired to bring a deserved accusation against our city; he
would find only one charge which he could justly urgethat she was too
compassionate and too favourable to the weaker side。 And in this instance
she was not able to hold out or keep her resolution of refusing aid to her
injurers when they were being enslaved; but she was softened; and did in
fact send out aid; and delivered the Hellenes from slavery; and they were
free until they afterwards enslaved themselves。 Whereas; to the great king
she refused to give the assistance of the state; for she could not forget
the trophies of Marathon and Salamis and Plataea; but she allowed exiles
and volunteers to assist him; and they were his salvation。 And she
herself; when she was compelled; entered into the war; and built walls and
ships; and fought with the Lacedaemonians on behalf of the Parians。 Now
the king fearing this city and wanting to stand aloof; when he saw the
Lacedaemonians growing weary of the war at sea; asked of us; as the price
of his alliance with us and the other allies; to give up the Hellenes in
Asia; whom the Lacedaemonians had previously handed over to him; he
thinking that we should refuse; and that then he might have a pretence for
withdrawing from us。 About the other allies he was mistaken; for the
Corinthians and Argives and Boeotians; and the other states; were quite
willing to let them go; and swore and covenanted; that; if he would pay
them money; they would make over to him the Hellenes of the continent; and
we alone refused to give them up and swear。 Such was the natural nobility
of this city; so sound and healthy was the spirit of freedom among us; and
the instinctive dislike of the barbarian; because we are pure Hellenes;
having no admixture of barbarism in us。 For we are not like many others;
descendants of Pelops or Cadmus or Egyptus or Danaus; who are by nature
barbarians; and yet pass for Hellenes; and dwell in the midst of us; but we
are pure Hellenes; uncontaminated by any foreign element; and therefore the
hatred of the foreigner has passed unadulterated into the life…blood of the
city。 And so; notwithstanding our noble sentiments; we were again
isolated; because we were unwilling to be guilty of the base and unholy act
of giving up Hellenes to barbarians。 And we were in the same case as when
we were subdued before; but; by the favour of Heaven; we managed better;
for we ended the war without the loss of our ships or walls or colonies;
the enemy was only too glad to be quit of us。 Yet in this war we lost many
brave men; such as were those who fell owing to the ruggedness of the
ground at the battle of Corinth; or by treason at Lechaeum。 Brave men;
too; were those who delivered the Persian king; and drove the
Lacedaemonians from the sea。 I remind you of them; and you must celebrate
them together with me; and do honour to their memories。
Such were the actions of the men who are here interred; and of others who
have died on behalf of their country; many and glorious things I have
spoken of them; and there are yet many more and more glorious things
remaining to be toldmany days and nights would not suffice to tell of
them。 Let them not be forgotten; and let every man remind their
descendants that they also are soldiers who must not desert the ranks of
their ancestors; or from cowardice fall behind。 Even as I exhort you this
day; and in all future time; whenever I meet with any of you; shall
continue to remind and exhort you; O ye sons of heroes; that you strive to
be the bravest of men。 And I think that I ought now to repeat what your
fathers desired to have said to you who are their survivors; when they went
out to battle; in case anything happened to them。 I will tell you what I
heard them say; and what; if they had only speech; they would fain be
saying; judging from what they then said。 And you must imagine that you
hear them saying what I now repeat to you:
'Sons; the event proves that your fathers were brave men; for we might have
lived dishonourably; but have preferred to die honourably rather than bring
you and your children into disgrace; and rather than dishonour our own
fathers and forefathers; considering that life is not life to one who is a
dishonour to his race; and that to such a one neither men nor Gods are
friendly; either while he is on the earth or after death in the world
below。 Remember our words; then; and whatever is your aim let virtue be
the condition of the attainment of your aim; and know that without this all
possessions and pursuits are dishonourable and evil。 For neither does
wealth bring honour to the owner; if he be a coward; of such a one the
wealth belongs to another; and not to himself。 Nor does beauty and
strength of body; when dwelling in a base and cowardly man; appear comely;
but the reverse of comely; making the possessor more conspicuous; and
manifesting forth his cowardice。 And all knowledge; when separated from
justice and virtue; is seen to be cunning and not wisdom; wherefore make
this your first and last and constant and all…absorbing aim; to exceed; if
possible; not only us but all your ancestors in virtue; and know that to
excel you in virtue only brings us shame; but that to be excelled by you is
a source of happiness to us。 And we shall most likely be defeated; and you
will most likely be victors in the contest; if you learn so to order your
lives as not to abuse or waste the reputation of your ancestors; knowing
that to a man who has any self…respect; nothing is more dishonourable than
to be honoured; not for his own sake; but on account of the reputation of
his ancestors。 The honour of parents is a fair and noble treasure to their
posterity; but to have the use of a treasure of wealth and honour; and to
leave none to your successors; because you have neither money nor
reputation of your own; is alike base and dishonourable。 And if you follow
our precepts you will be received by us as friends; when the hour of
destiny brings you hither; but if you neglect our words and are disgraced
in your lives; no one will welcome or receive you。 This is the message
which is to be delivered to our children。
'Some of us have fathers and mothers still living; and we would urge them;
if; as is likely; we shall die; to bear the calamity as lightly as
possible; and not to condole with one another; for they have sorrows
enough; and will not need any one to stir them up。 While we gently heal
their wounds; let us remind them that the Gods have heard the chief part of
their prayers; for they prayed; not that their children might live for
ever; but that they might be brave and renowned。 And this; which is the
greatest good; they have attained。 A mortal man cannot expect to have
everything in his own life turning out according to his will; and they; if
they bear their misfortunes bravely; will be truly deemed brave fathers of
the brave。 But if they give way to their sorrows; either they will be
suspected of not being our parents; or we of not being such as our
panegyrists declare。 Let not either of the two alternatives happen; but
rather let them be our chief and true panegyrists; who show in their lives
that they are true men; and had men for their sons。 Of old the saying;
〃Nothing too much;〃 appeared to be; and really was; well said。 For he
whose happiness rests with himself; if possible; wholly; and if not; as far
as is p