Letter 147: To the same person. (358-361)

To the same man. (358-361) I think that you too, once you have heard what is just, will vote acquittal for the men who carry this letter; for the matter has seemed great to me, and to you it will not appear small. And it seems to me that, even if none of the things they now have were available to them for the trial, this one thing alone-that they are aided by those men whom you think it right to respect-would be quite enough for them to escape. For of these men some have acquired the power of speech, others experience in the laws, and in some of them both are found; and many good things have been said by you concerning them, but still more have been said by them concerning you, and the one favor they now ask, the other they will perhaps grant. From all of which it was possible for Hermeias and Egersios to be confident. And as for my urging that they be given support, it was not the act of men in need of an alliance, but of men who honor those to whom they imparted a share in the affair.

**To the same recipient** (358–361) I believe that even upon hearing the merits of the case alone, you would vote to grant acquittal to the bearers of this letter. For their grounds struck me as strong, and they will not appear slight to you either. Indeed, it seems to me that even if they had none of their present arguments to bring to trial, this one thing alone — that those whom you think worthy of respect are lending them their support — would be quite enough for them to escape conviction. For among these advocates, some possess the power of eloquence, others an expertise in law, and in some cases both qualities are combined. Many fine things have been said by you on their behalf, and still more have been said by them about you. They now ask a favor, and will perhaps one day repay it — all of which gave Hermias and Egersius every reason for confidence. As for my own instruction to lend a hand, this came not from men who needed an ally, but from men who were honoring me by letting me share in their cause.

Τῷ αὐτῷ. (358—361) Οἴμαι μέν σε καὶ τῶν δικαίων ἀκούσαντα ψηφιεῖσθαι τοῖς φέρουσι τὴν ἐπιστολὴν ἀπαλλαγήν, ἐμοί τε γὰρ ἔδοξεν εἶναι μεγάλα σοί τε οὐ φανεῖται μικρά, δοκοῦσι δέ μοι κἂν εἰ μηδὲν αὐτοῖς τῶν νῦν ὄντων ὑπῆρχεν εἰς τὴν δίκην, ἓν δὲ τοῦτο τὸ βοηθεῖν αὐτοῖς, οὓς οἴει δεῖν αἰδεῖσθαι, πάντως ἂν ἐκφυγεῖν. τῶνδε γὰρ οἱ μὲν λόγου κέκτηνται δύναμιν, οἱ δὲ ἐμπειρίαν νόμων, ἐν δὲ τοῖς έστιν ἀμφότερα, χρηστὰ δὲ πολλὰ μὲν σοὶ περὶ τούτων, πλείω δὲ τούτοις εἴρηται περὶ σοῦ, καὶ χάριν τὴν μὲν αἰτοῦσι νῦν, τὴν δὲ δώσουσιν ἴσως, ἀφ’ ὧν ἦν ἁπάντων Ἑρμείᾳ τε καὶ Ἐγερσίῳ θαρρεῖν. 3, τὸ δ’ ἐμὲ κελεῦσαι συλλαβεῖν οὐκ ἦν χρῃζόντων συμμαχίας, ἀλλὰ τιμώντων οἷς μετέδοσαν τοῦ πράγματος.