the proportions of what has taken place, as far as may be. He will
apologise for what he does, even in the doing of it, letting it appear
that what he has wrought at least was innocent;[20] so little does his
conduct seem noble even to himself. And when those he dreaded are
safely in their graves, he is not one whit more confident of spirit,
but still more on his guard than heretofore. That is the kind of war
with which the tyrant is beset from day to day continually, as I do
prove.[21]

[17] See Hold. (crit. app.); Hartman, op. cit. p. 260.

[18] Cf. "Mem." I. ii. 38.

[19] Cf. "Anab." II. vi. 11; "Hell." VI. iv. 16.

[20] "Not of malice prepense."

[21] Or, "Such then, as I describe it, is the type of war," etc.



III

Turn now and contemplate the sort of friendship whereof it is given to
tyrants to partake. And first, let us examine with ourselves and see
if friendship is truly a great boon to mortal man.

How fares it with the man who is beloved of friends? See with what
gladness his friends and lovers hail his advent! delight to do him
kindness! long for him when he is absent from them![1] and welcome him