Attic Nights, Vol. II

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What we said in the previous chapter was written by Critolaus regarding Demosthenes, C. Gracchus, in the speech in which he dissuaded the Aufeian law, attributed to Demades in these words: "For you, citizens, if you wish to use wisdom and virtue, even if you seek, you will not find any of us coming forward here without a price. All of us who speak seek something, and no one comes forward to you for the sake of anything, unless he may take away something. I myself, who speak before you in order that you may increase your revenues, so that you may more easily administer your interests and the republic, do not come forward for free; but I ask from you not money, but a good reputation and honor. Those who come forward to dissuade you from accepting this law do not ask for honor from you, but money from Nicomedes; those who urge you to accept it, they also ask not for a good reputation from you, but for a price and reward for their own private affairs from Mithridates; those, however, who remain silent from the same place and rank, they are the most bitter; for they receive a price from everyone and