As one lives, one learns, or should. We see failures in government—outcomes, character, and trust—at federal and state levels. We see out-of-touch leaders and gaps in accountability and public safety. Such failures are not new, but they must be corrected in dangerous times.
One of the most famous, effective leaders and callers of good men to action was a Greek named Demosthenes (Dee-mo-theens). You will never have heard of him. He lived from 384 to 322 BC, more than 2,300 years ago, yet his truths are profound, direct, and timeless.
In 342 BC (Before Christ), Demosthenes got fed up with his fellow Athenians. They were go-along-to-get-along, back-slappers, and many dishonest. He was tired of an Athens that allowed bad guys to overrun good people. He despised weak leadership, wrote a speech, and talked bluntly.
This is what he said: Get up, get off your backside, understand the future depends on you, even now. Understand that you have duties. If the government fails, it is on you, you own it.
In his “Third Philippic” speech, he urged honesty no pettiness, and integrity. Athens listened and rose. The speech is long, and not worth the labor unless you are retired, and have a warm fire, but have high points.
“Men of Athens … wrongs are being committed …against you… Our words and deeds must be to check and chastise arrogance, yet I perceive that all our interests have been so completely betrayed and sacrificed that – I am afraid … we could not be in a worse condition.”
What was he saying? Athens had enemies inside and out, ignored them, and did not stand up. Leaders were listening to “those who study to win your favor rather than to give you the best advice. Some of them are interested in maintaining a system which brings them credit and influence, have no thought for the future.” Lost – and a tragedy – were the children, the future.
Even in his time, there were lobbyists, petty jealousies, influence peddlers, and those who indulged human jealousies and so undermined the public good, public safety, and national security.
“But such methods of dealing with public affairs, familiar though they are to you, are the cause of your calamities.” He spoke firmly. “You think it is so necessary to grant general freedom of speech to everyone in Athens that you even allow aliens … in the privilege, with more liberty than citizens enjoy … “ In the name of goodness, you do harm.
“Your self-complacency is flattered by hearing …pleasant speeches, but your policy and your practice are already involving you in the gravest peril…so … I am ready to speak.”
He laid out the truth – and later died for it. Athens’ leaders were petty, and unaccountable, opening Athens to harm. “The state of our affairs is in every way deplorable … until … you choose to do your duty, that all may yet be repaired.” Internal and external threats were real, and being ignored.
“What I am going to say may perhaps seem a paradox, but it is true. The worst feature of the past is our best hope for the future. What, then, is that feature? It is that your affairs go wrong because you neglect every duty, great or small.” Hope exists – if there remains room for “improvement.”
In other words, when leaders – of a country or state – finally admit there is a problem, hope exists. When they deny it, indulge in pettiness, they doom themselves. Demosthenes is adamant. Athens had less information warfare and fewer illegal aliens, no ruthless drug traffickers, but he knew Athens was in trouble. He also knew if they acted as one, they could still win.
“Nor have you been defeated—no! But you have not even made a move.” This, of course, is his real attack on the leaders of Athens: Petty politics was winning, enemies rising in the breach.
He gets tough with fellow legislators. Enemies are “violating the peace…since some of you are in such a strange mood…” While enemies are “seizing cities, and retaining many of your possessions, and inflicting injury on everybody, you tolerate some speakers … saying the real aggressors are certain of ourselves, we must be on our guard and set this matter right.”
Sound familiar? Has so much changed in 2000 years? “There is grave danger that anyone who proposes and urges that we shall defend ourselves may incur the charge of …” overstatement. He pushes for honesty, and self-protection, not self-delusion. “What is left but to defend ourselves?”
At the national level, we will – God willing – soon see a return to accountability, more limited and more humble government, and greater public safety. But many States lag. They cannot afford to.
Bottom line: Our work is not done. Recent victories aside, all is not well. Demosthenes was right. Leaders – federal and state leaders – are often complacent. They often think politics is a game. It is not. Accountability and public safety must matter – to all levels of government.
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, attorney, and naval intelligence officer (USNR). He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (2018), and is National Spokesman for AMAC. Robert Charles has also just released an uplifting new book, “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024).
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