having come with arms, and laying the country waste, should obtain what he wishes; for to Thebes this would be a reproach, if through fear of the Mycenaean spear I should give up my sceptre for this man to hold.  But he ought, my mother, to effect a reconciliation, not by arms:  for speech does every thing which even the sword of the enemy could do.  But if he is desirous of inhabiting this land in any other way, it is in his power; but the other point I will never give up willingly.  When it is in my power to rule, ever to be a slave to him?  Wherefore come fire, come sword, yoke thy steeds, fill the plains with chariots, since I will not give up my kingly power to this man.  For if one must be unjust, it is most glorious to be unjust concerning empire, but in every thing else one should be just.

CHOR.  It is not right to speak well, where the deeds are not glorious; for this is not honorable, but galling to justice.

JOC.  My son, Eteocles, not every ill is added to age, but experience has it in its power to evince more wisdom than youth.[26] Why, my child, dost thou so desirously court ambition, the most baneful of the deities? do not thou; the Goddess is unjust.  But she hath entered into many families and happy states and hath come forth again, to the destruction of those who have to do with her.  Of whom thou art madly enamored.  This is more noble, my son, to honor equality, which ever links friends with friends, and states with states, and allies with allies:  for equality is sanctioned by law among men.  But the lesser share is ever at enmity with the greater, and straight begins the day of hatred.  For equality arranged also among mortals measures, and the divisions of weights, and defined numbers.  And the dark eye of night, and the light of the sun, equally walk their annual round, and neither of them being overcome hath envy of the other.  Thus the sun and the night are subservient to men, but wilt not thou brook having an equal share of government, and give his share to him?  Then where is justice?  Why dost thou honor so unboundedly that prosperous injustice, royalty, and think so highly of her?  Is the being conspicuous honorable?  At least, it is empty honor.  Or dost thou desire to labor much, possessing much in thy house? but what is superfluity?  It possesses but a name; since a sufficiency indeed to the temperate is abundance.  Neither do men enjoy riches as their own, but having the property of the Gods do we cherish them.  And when they list, again do they take them away.  Come, if I ask thee, having proposed together two measures, whether it is thy wish to reign, or save the city?  Wilt thou say, to reign?  But should he conquer thee, and the Argive spears overcome the Cadmaeanforces, thou wilt behold this city of the Thebans vanquished, thou wilt behold many captive maidens with violence ravished by men your foes.  Bitter then to Thebes will be the power which thou seekest to hold; but yet thou art ambitious of it.  To thee I say this: