Alexander of Aetolia, during the legislation of Dorimachus and Scopas, opposed their proposal, showing from many instances that where this weed<note place="end" resp="tr" id="note1">We must understand<span class="greek">χρεῶν ἀποκοπαί</span>, the cancelling of debts.</note>once took root it never stopped its growth until it had inflicted the greatest disaster on those who had once introduced it.
He begged them therefore not to keep their eyes only on their present relief from the obligations they had incurred but to look to the future too.
For it was, he says, strange indeed that on the battle-field they should give even their lives for the sake of their children's safety, but in the council chamber should take no thought for future times. . . .
Walbank Commentary