History of the Peloponnesian War

So much more dangerous is the neighbourhood of the Athenians than that of others. Besides, people who in the confidence of strength attack their neighbours, as the Athenians now do, are wont to march more fearlessly against one who keeps quiet and defends himself only in his own land, but are less ready to grapple with him who meets them outside of his own boundaries and, if opportunity offers, makes the first attack.

We have a proof of this in these Athenians; for at Coronea,[*](447 B.C.; cf. 1.113.2; 3.62.5.) when owing to our internal dissensions they had occupied our land, we defeated them and won for Boeotia great security which has lasted to this day.