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

To the same person. (358-361) I believe that even after hearing the merits of their case, you would vote to grant relief to the men carrying this letter. Their claims struck me as substantial, and they will not seem trivial to you either. It seems to me that even if they had none of their current arguments, the single fact that those you think ought to be respected are supporting them would be enough to win their case. Among these supporters, some possess the power of rhetoric, others expertise in law, and some have both. Many good things have been said to you about these men, and even more by them about you. They now ask a favor, and they will perhaps return one in the future. All of this gives Hermeias and Egersius reason for confidence. As for the fact that they asked me to add my voice -- that was not because they needed reinforcements, but because they wished to honor me by including me 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.