History of the Peloponnesian War

And they are to be commended who, yielding to the instinct of human nature to rule over others, have been more observant of justice than they might have been, considering their power.

At least, if others should seize our power, they would, we think, exhibit the best proof that we show some moderation; but in our case the result of our very reasonableness is, perversely enough, obloquy rather than commendation.

"For although we are at a disadvantage in suits[*](These seem to have been disputes in matters of trade tried before federal courts elsewhere than in Athens; whereas τὰς κρίσεις refers to compulsory jurisdiction which Athens enforced upon her allies in her own courts.) with our allies arising out of commercial agreements, and although in our own courts in Athens, where we have established tribunals, the same laws apply to us as to them, we are thought to insist too much upon our legal rights.

And none of our allies observes why it is that those who hold dominion elsewhere, and are less moderate than we are toward their subjects, are not reproached on this account. It is because those who may use might have no need to appeal to right.