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for we ended the war without the loss of our ships or walls or colonies；
the enemy was only too glad to be quit of us。 Yet in this war we lost many
brave men； such as were those who fell owing to the ruggedness of the
ground at the battle of Corinth； or by treason at Lechaeum。 Brave men；
too； were those who delivered the Persian king； and drove the
Lacedaemonians from the sea。 I remind you of them； and you must celebrate
them together with me； and do honour to their memories。
Such were the actions of the men who are here interred； and of others who
have died on behalf of their country； many and glorious things I have
spoken of them； and there are yet many more and more glorious things
remaining to be toldmany days and nights would not suffice to tell of
them。 Let them not be forgotten； and let every man remind their
descendants that they also are soldiers who must not desert the ranks of
their ancestors； or from cowardice fall behind。 Even as I exhort you this
day； and in all future time； whenever I meet with any of you； shall
continue to remind and exhort you； O ye sons of heroes； that you strive to
be the bravest of men。 And I think that I ought now to repeat what your
fathers desired to have said to you who are their survivors； when they went
out to battle； in case anything happened to them。 I will tell you what I
heard them say； and what； if they had only speech； they would fain be
saying； judging from what they then said。 And you must imagine that you
hear them saying what I now repeat to you：
'Sons； the event proves that your fathers were brave men； for we might have
lived dishonourably； but have preferred to die honourably rather than bring
you and your children into disgrace； and rather than dishonour our own
fathers and forefathers； considering that life is not life to one who is a
dishonour to his race； and that to such a one neither men nor Gods are
friendly； either while he is on the earth or after death in the world
below。 Remember our words； then； and whatever is your aim let virtue be
the condition of the attainment of your aim； and know that without this all
possessions and pursuits are dishonourable and evil。 For neither does
wealth bring honour to the owner； if he be a coward； of such a one the
wealth belongs to another； and not to himself。 Nor does beauty and
strength of body； when dwelling in a base and cowardly man； appear comely；
but the reverse of comely； making the possessor more conspicuous； and
manifesting forth his cowardice。 And all knowledge； when separated from
justice and virtue； is seen to be cunning and not wisdom； wherefore make
this your first and last and constant and all…absorbing aim； to exceed； if
possible； not only us but all your ancestors in virtue； and know that to
excel you in virtue only brings us shame； but that to be excelled by you is
a source of happiness to us。 And we shall most likely be defeated； and you
will most likely be victors in the contest； if you learn so to order your
lives as not to abuse or waste the reputation of your ancestors； knowing
that to a man who has any self…respect； nothing is more dishonourable than
to be honoured； not for his own sake； but on account of the reputation of
his ancestors。 The honour of parents is a fair and noble treasure to their
posterity； but to have the use of a treasure of wealth and honour； and to
leave none to your successors； because you have neither money nor
reputation of your own； is alike base and dishonourable。 And if you follow
our precepts you will be received by us as friends； when the hour of
destiny brings you hither； but if you neglect our words and are disgraced
in your lives； no one will welcome or receive you。 This is the message
which is to be delivered to our children。
'Some of us have fathers and mothers still living； and we would urge them；
if； as is likely； we shall die； to bear the calamity as lightly as
possible； and not to condole with one another； for they have sorrows
enough； and will not need any one to stir them up。 While we gently heal
their wounds； let us remind them that the Gods have heard the chief part of
their prayers； for they prayed； not that their children might live for
ever； but that they might be brave and renowned。 And this； which is the
greatest good； they have attained。 A mortal man cannot expect to have
everything in his own life turning out according to his will； and they； if
they bear their misfortunes bravely； will be truly deemed brave fathers of
the brave。 But if they give way to their sorrows； either they will be
suspected of not being our parents； or we of not being such as our
panegyrists declare。 Let not either of the two alternatives happen； but
rather let them be our chief and true panegyrists； who show in their lives
that they are true men； and had men for their sons。 Of old the saying；
〃Nothing too much；〃 appeared to be； and really was； well said。 For he
whose happiness rests with himself； if possible； wholly； and if not； as far
as is possible；who is not hanging in suspense on other men； or changing
with the vicissitude of their fortune；has his life ordered for the best。
He is the temperate and valiant and wise； and when his riches come and go；
when his children are given and taken away； he will remember the proverb
〃Neither rejoicing overmuch nor grieving overmuch；〃 for he relies upon
himself。 And such we would have our parents to bethat is our word and
wish； and as such we now offer ourselves； neither lamenting overmuch； nor
fearing overmuch； if we are to die at this time。 And we entreat our
fathers and mothers to retain these feelings throughout their future life；
and to be assured that they will not please us by sorrowing and lamenting
over us。 But； if the dead have any knowledge of the living； they will
displease us most by making themselves miserable and by taking their
misfortunes too much to heart； and they will please us best if they bear
their loss lightly and temperately。 For our life will have the noblest end
which is vouchsafed to man； and should be glorified rather than lamented。
And if they will direct their minds to the care and nurture of our wives
and children； they will soonest forget their misfortunes； and live in a
better and nobler way； and be dearer to us。
'This is all that we have to say to our families： and to the state we
would sayTake care of our parents and of our sons： let her worthily
cherish the old age of our parents； and bring up our sons in the right way。
But we know that she will of her own accord take care of them； and does not
need any exhortation of ours。'
This； O ye children and parents of the dead； is the message which they bid
us deliver to you； and which I do deliver with the utmost seriousness。 And
in their name I beseech you； the children； to imitate your fathers； and
you； parents； to be of good cheer about yourselves； for we will nourish
your age； and take care of you both publicly and privately i