[
9]
In regard to war and peace, the orator should be
acquainted with the power of the State, how great it is already and how great it
may possibly become; of what kind it is already and what additions may possibly
be made to it; further, what wars it has waged and its conduct of them. These
things he should be acquainted with, not only as far as his own State is
concerned, but also in reference to neighboring States, and particularly those
with whom there is a likelihood of war, so that towards the stronger a pacific
attitude may be maintained,
and in regard to the weaker, the decision as to making war on them may be left
to his own State. Again, he should know whether their forces are like or unlike
his own, for herein also advantage or disadvantage may lie. With reference to
these matters he must also have examined the results, not only of the wars
carried on by his own State, but also of those carried on by others; for similar
results naturally arise from similar causes.
