[-18-] “I am not saying that we must spare absolutely all wrongdoers, for we must cut out of the way the daredevil and busybody, the man of evil nature and evil devices, who gives himself up to an unyielding, persistent baseness, just as we treat parts of the body that are quite incurable.  But of the rest, who err through youth or ignorance or a misunderstanding or some other chance, some purposely and others unwillingly, it is proper to admonish some with words, to bring others to their senses by threats, and to handle still others with moderation in some different way, precisely as in other [matters] ... all men impose upon some greater and upon others lesser punishments.  So far as these persons are concerned you may employ moderation without danger, inflicting upon some the penalty of banishment, upon others that of loss of political rights, upon still others a money fine.  You may also place some of them in country districts or in certain cities.

“In the past a few have been brought to their senses by missing what they hoped for, by failing to secure what they aimed at.  A degradation in seats[13] and factional disputes involving disgrace, as well as being injured or terrified before they could make a move, has improved not a few.  Yet one well born and courageous would prefer to die rather than to have any such experience.  As a result, vengeance would become not easier for the plotters but more difficult, and we should be able to live in safety, since not a word could be said against us.  At present we are thought to kill many through anger,[14] many because of a desire for their money, others through fear of their bravery, and a great many others on account of jealousy of their excellence.  No one will readily believe that a person possessing so great an authority and power can seriously be the object of the plots of any unarmed individual.  Some talk as above and others say that we hear a great many lies and foolishly pay heed to many of them, believing them true.  They assert that those who spy into and overhear doubtful matters concoct many falsehoods, some being influenced by enmity, others by wrath, some because they can get money from their foes, others because they can get no money from the same persons, and further, that they report not only the fact of certain persons having committed suspicious actions or intending to commit them, but also how A said so-and-so, and B hearing it was silent, how one man laughed and somebody else wept.

[-19-] “I could cite innumerable other details of like nature which, no matter how true they were, are no business for free men to concern themselves about or report to you.  If they went unnoticed, they would do you no harm, but when heard they might irritate you even against your will:  and that ought by no means to happen, especially in a ruler of the people.  Now many believe that from this cause large numbers unjustly perish, some without a trial and others by some unwarranted condemnation