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Antiochus went into Greece, being sent for by the Aetolians to

drive out the Romans. He sent envoys to the Achaeans, who were

friends of the Romans, exhorting them to remain neutral; and on

the other hand the Romans urged them to take up arms. This

question came to be discussed in the council of the Achaeans,

where the legate of Antiochus urged them to stand neutral. To

this the Roman legate answered: "As for that which has been said,

that it is better and more advantageous for your state not to

interfere in our war, nothing can be more erroneous; because by

not interfering you will be left, without favour or

consideration, the guerdon of the conqueror." Thus it will always

happen that he who is not your friend will demand your

neutrality, whilst he who is your friend will entreat you to

declare yourself with arms. And irresolute princes, to avoid

present dangers, generally follow the neutral path, and are

generally ruined.