While, therefore, we must censure those who incautiously put themselves in the power of the enemy, we should not blame those who take all possible precautions.
For it is absolutely impracticable to place trust in no one, and we cannot find fault with anyone for acting by the dictates of reason after receiving adequate pledges,
such pledges being oaths, wives and children held as hostages, and above all the past life of the person in question;
thus to be betrayed and ruined by such means carries no reproach to the sufferer but only to the author of the deed.
The safest course of all therefore is to seek for such pledges as will render it impossible for the man in whom we trust to break his word,
but as these can rarely be obtained, the second best course is to take reasonable precautions, so that if our expectations are deceived, we may at least not fail to be condoned by public opinion.
This has been the case with many victims of treachery in former times, but most conspicuous instance and that nearest in date to the time of which I am now speaking will be that of Achaeus, who though he had taken every possible step to guard against treachery and ensure his safety, foreseeing and providing against every contingency as far as it was possible for human intelligence to do so, yet fell into the power of his enemy.
The event created a general feeling of pity and pardon for the victim, while his betrayers were universally condemned and detested.
Walbank Commentary