53
But, what is most reprehensible of all, we regard those whom all would acknowledge to be the most depraved of our citizensCf. Isoc. 15.316 ff. and notes; Aristoph. Frogs 730 ff. as the most trustworthy guardians of our polity; and we judge the character of our alien residents by the kind of patronsOnly through a citizen to represent him as his “patron” before the law could a foreign resident enjoy the protection of the state. The word for patron, προστάτης, was also used for the leader of the General Assembly. Hence the play on the word, which can be reproduced only by a free rendering in English. they select to represent them, but do not expect that we shall be judged by the character of those who represent us at the head of the state.
54
So far are we different from our ancestors that whereas they chose the same men to preside over the city and to be generals in the field,For example, Pericles, who personally led a number of expeditions. since they believed that one who could give the best counsel on this platform would best take counsel with himself when alone, we ourselves do the very opposite;