Now it is reasonable, gentlemen of the jury, that men who are now trying such a case for the first time since we settled the peace1 should act not merely as jurors, but in fact as law-makers. For you know well that your decision upon these cases will determine the attitude of the city towards them for all time. And it is the duty, in my opinion, alike of a loyal citizen and of a just juror to put such constructions on the laws as are likely to be of benefit to the city in the future.
1 i.e., the peace of 404 B.C, which ended the Peloponnesian War.
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