Λὰξ ἐπίβα δήμῳ κενεόφρονι, τύπτε δὲ κέντρῳ
ὀξέϊ καὶ ζεύγλην δύσλοφον ἀμφιτίθει·
οὐ γὰρ ἔθ’ εὑρήσεις δῆμον φιλοδέσποτον ὧδε
ἀνθρώπων ὁπόσους ἠέλιος καθορᾷ.
(Theognis, Eleg. 847-850)
Trample the empty-headed people, jab them with a sharp goad, and place a painful yoke round their necks. For among the people whom the sun looks down upon you’ll find none so much in love with tyranny. (tr. Douglas E. Gerber)
