"There is much in what Phokion says that is of merit. We could be more prepared than we are now. Whenever we choose to go to war, we might always wish to delay, so we were better prepared in future. There are many things we might wish to have, including a winged Pegasus to carry us to victory. The risks we face are real.
The virtue of fighting now is that we can choose the moment of decision, and Taras will not have made designs against us, either. To pretend that the war between Athens and Sparta will not reach our shores eventually also seems foolish to me. It will come whether invited or not. We can choose to meet it head on, or wait until it happens of its own accord. Both ways lie perils.
Perhaps we will be lucky, and manage to fully subborn the Dauni, defeat Korynthos at sea, and ally with Metapontion, whilst the Tarantines wait placidly for us to turn to them. If so, then that would inarguably be much to our advantage. But I also am not so sure that they have become cowards. It will not be difficult for them to see our eventual designs, and enlist whatever aid they can.
If the Tarantines attack whilst we are half-finished dealing with the Dauni, a threat that has been discussed seriously in this Assembly and should not be forgotten, then we may regret having waited. In the long run I fear Taras more.
If we defeat them, we make it clear that we are the strongest city of the Greeks within Italia, and that will make every one of our dealings going forward that much easier.
Both courses of action before us have dangers, and promise rewards. We must choose one."
