Today's Passage
This passage comes from Pericles' Funeral Oration (430 BCE), delivered after the first year of the Peloponnesian War to honor Athens' war dead.
Crawley Translation (1910)
“Nor are these the only points in which our city is worthy of admiration. We cultivate refinement without extravagance and knowledge without effeminacy; wealth we employ more for use than for show, and place the real disgrace of poverty not in owning to the fact but in declining the struggle against it. Our public men have, besides politics, their private affairs to attend to, and our ordinary citizens, though occupied with the pursuits of industry, are still fair judges of public matters; for, unlike any other nation, regarding him who takes no part in these duties not as unambitious but as useless, we Athenians are able to judge at all events if we cannot originate, and, instead of looking on discussion as a stumbling-block in the way of action, we think it an indispensable preliminary to any wise action at all. Again, in our enterprises we present the singular spectacle of daring and deliberation, each carried to its highest point, and both united in the same persons; although usually decision is the fruit of ignorance, hesitation of reflection. But the palm of courage will surely be adjudged most justly to those, who best know the difference between hardship and pleasure and yet are never tempted to shrink from danger. In generosity we are equally singular, acquiring our friends by conferring, not by receiving, favours. Yet, of course, the doer of the favour is the firmer friend of the two, in order by continued kindness to keep the recipient in his debt; while the debtor feels less keenly from the very consciousness that the return he makes will be a payment, not a free gift. And it is only the Athenians, who, fearless of consequences, confer their benefits not from calculations of expediency, but in the confidence of liberality.
Modern Translation
These are not the only qualities that make our city admirable. We pursue sophistication without falling into luxury, and we value learning without becoming soft. We use wealth for practical purposes rather than ostentatious display, and we consider the true shame of poverty to lie not in admitting it, but in failing to work against it. Our political leaders manage both public duties and private business, while our working citizens, despite their commercial occupations, remain competent judges of state affairs. Unlike other peoples, we consider those who avoid civic participation not merely unambitious but entirely useless. We Athenians can at least evaluate proposals even when we don't create them ourselves. Rather than viewing debate as an obstacle to action, we consider it essential preparation for any intelligent decision. Furthermore, in our undertakings we display a remarkable combination of boldness and careful planning, both developed to the fullest extent and united in the same individuals—whereas typically, rash confidence stems from ignorance while careful thought produces hesitation. True courage surely belongs to those who fully understand both suffering and pleasure yet never allow fear to deter them from danger. We are equally exceptional in our generosity, winning friends by giving rather than receiving favors. The benefactor naturally remains the more committed friend, eager to maintain the recipient's gratitude through continued kindness, while the recipient feels less strongly, knowing that any reciprocation is merely repaying a debt rather than freely giving. Only we Athenians, without calculating future advantage and trusting in our generous nature, bestow benefits without fear of the consequences.
Historical Context
This passage comes from Pericles' Funeral Oration (430 BCE), delivered after the first year of the Peloponnesian War to honor Athens' war dead. As the leading statesman of Athens, Pericles uses this traditional ceremony to articulate Athenian democratic values and justify their imperial system. Rather than simply praising the fallen, he presents an idealized vision of Athenian society that contrasts sharply with Sparta's militaristic culture. The speech serves multiple purposes: consoling grieving families, inspiring continued sacrifice, and defending Athens' political system. This particular section emphasizes Athens' unique combination of cultural refinement, democratic participation, and strategic generosity—qualities Pericles argues make Athens worth fighting for. The oration becomes a defining statement of Athenian identity at the height of their power.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Athenian Democracy
Pericles emphasizes participatory democracy where even working citizens engage in political judgment. This contrasts with oligarchic systems where only elites participated. The statement that non-participants are 'useless' reflects the radical nature of Athenian civic engagement.
Learn more →Greek Concept of Arete
The balance between refinement and strength, wealth and moderation, reflects the Greek ideal of arete (excellence/virtue). Athenians claim to achieve the golden mean between extremes, avoiding both Spartan austerity and Persian luxury.
Learn more →Gift Exchange in Ancient Greece
The discussion of favors and friendship reflects ancient Greek concepts of reciprocity (charis). Creating obligations through generosity was a key political and social strategy, establishing networks of influence throughout the Greek world.
Learn more →Funeral Oration Genre
The epitaphios logos was a established Athenian tradition for honoring war dead. Pericles transforms this conventional form into a manifesto of democratic values, using the occasion to define Athenian identity against their enemies.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Plato: Menexenus (236d-249c)
Plato provides a parody of Athenian funeral orations, including themes from Pericles' speech. His version critiques the rhetorical excess and idealization common in such speeches.
Read passage →Aristotle: Politics (Book 3, 1275a22-1275b20)
Aristotle discusses citizen participation in democracy, echoing Pericles' point about active citizenship. He analyzes who counts as a citizen and their necessary involvement in governance.
Read passage →Plutarch: Life of Pericles (8-9)
Plutarch describes Pericles' political philosophy and his vision for Athens, including the balance between democracy and leadership that appears in the funeral oration.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does Pericles' vision of combining deliberation with action challenge modern assumptions about decision-making? Is thoughtful boldness truly possible?
- What are the implications of declaring citizens who avoid politics 'useless'? How does this compare to modern democratic participation?
- Does strategic generosity—giving to create obligation—undermine the moral value of the gift? How does this relate to modern foreign aid or philanthropy?
- To what extent is Pericles describing Athens as it actually was versus creating an aspirational ideal? What purposes does such idealization serve?