Essay on Campaign Speech

If we look to the laws, they afford equal justice to all in their private differences… if a man is able to serve the state, he is not hindered by the obscurity of his condition. The freedom we enjoy in our government extends also to our ordinary life. There, far from exercising a jealous surveillance over each other, we do not feel called upon to be angry with our neighbour for doing what he likes… “[13] These lines form the roots of the famous phrase “equal justice under law. The liberality of which Pericles spoke also extended to Athens’ foreign policy: “We throw open our city to the world, and never by alien acts exclude foreigners from any opportunity of learning or observing, although the eyes of an enemy may occasionally profit by our liberality… “[14] Yet Athens’ values of equality and openness do not, according to Pericles, hinder Athens’ greatness, indeed, they enhance it, “… advancement in public life falls to reputations for capacity, class considerations not being allowed to interfere with merit… ur ordinary citizens, though occupied with the pursuits of industry, are still fair judges of public matters… at Athens we live exactly as we please, and yet are just as ready to encounter every legitimate danger. “[15] In the climax of his praise of Athens, Pericles declares: “In short, I say that as a city we are the school of Hellas; while I doubt if the world can produce a man, who where he has only himself to depend upon, is equal to so many emergencies, and graced by so happy a versatility as the Athenian. [16] Finally, Pericles links his praise of the city to the dead Athenians for whom he is speaking, “… for the Athens that I have celebrated is only what the heroism of these and their like have made her… none of these men allowed either wealth with its prospect of future enjoyment to unnerve his spirit, or poverty with its hope of a day of freedom and riches to tempt him to shrink from danger.

No, holding that vengeance upon their enemies was more to be desired than any personal blessings, and reckoning this to be the most glorious of hazards, they joyfully determined to accept the risk… Thus, choosing to die resisting, rather than to live submitting, they fled only from dishonour… “[17] The conclusion seems inevitable: “Therefore, having judged that to be happy means to be free, and to be free means to be brave, do not shy away from the risks of war”. With the linkage of Athens’ greatness complete, Pericles moves to addressing his audience.