"As for the conduct of Antigonus, I will only mention it so far as to avoid seeming to make light of what happened or to regard as of minor importance such a performance as his.
I do not for my part think there is an example in history of such benevolence as Antigonus showed to you. It seems to me in fact that it could not be surpassed.
For what were the facts? Antigonus went to war with you and beat you in a pitched battle, and by force of arms took possession of your territory and town.
Strictly, he should have exercised the rights of war. But he was so far from treating you with any severity, that besides all the rest he did for you he expelled your tyrant and re-established the reign of law and your ancient constitution.
And in return for this you proclaimed Antigonus at public festivals in the hearing of all Greece to be your saviour and benefactor.
Now what course should you have taken afterwards? I will tell you my opinion, sirs, and you must not take it ill; for I will do so not with any wish to heap pointless reproaches on you, but under the pressure of circumstances and for the general good.
This is what I have to say. Both in the former war you should have taken the side not of the Aetolians but of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Macedonia&groupId=723&placeId=428">Macedonia</a> and now that these advances are made to you you should rather join Philip than the Aetolians.
But I shall be told that you will be breaking a treaty.
Now which is the most serious offence, to disregard the private convention you made with the Aetolians or the treaty made in the sight of all the Greeks and inscribed on a column and consecrated?
Why should you have compunction about throwing over those from whom you never received any favour, but show no respect to Philip and the Macedonians to whom you owe even your power of deliberating on this occasion?
Do you think it necessary to keep faith with your friends. . .
But the piety of observing a written treaty is less than the impiety of fighting against your preservers, as the Aetolians now come and ask you to do.
Walbank Commentary