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a fact that brings to you also cause for pride, and although I met Philip often and parleyed with him on those matters on which you sent me as envoy,Demosthenes was one of ten envoys who negotiated with Philip the Peace of Philocrates in 346 B.C. and was several times sent on similar missions afterwards. yet I kept my hands off the substantial sums he offered me, as many men are aware who still live. Just ponder what opinion these men may reasonably entertain of you, for to have dealt this treatment to such a man, while for myself I am sure it would seem a misfortune, though no conviction of vice, yet on your part it would seem defiance of justice.This sentence is cited by Hermogenes, Rhetores Graeci 3, p. 235 and by Maximus Planudes, ibid. 5, p.395. I beg of you to change your verdict and cancel this imputation.
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All the considerations which I have mentioned above, however, I consider of less importance than my conduct from first to last and every day in public life, in which I showed myself in action to be a statesman, never encouraging any nursing of a grudge or a feud or the grasping for unfair advantage, whether shared or for myself, never preferring false charges against either citizen or alien, never being over-clever to work in secret against your interests but always working for them, if occasion should arise, and above board, subject to public approval.
