“IF you decline attacking us in a hostile manner, you may have our friendship. Nations which have never been at war are on an equal footing. But it is in vain that confidence is reposed in a conquered people. There can be no sincere friendship between the oppressors and the oppressed. Even in peace, the latter think themselves entitled to the rights of war against the former.

“We will, if you think good, enter into a treaty with you, according to our manner which is, not by signing, sealing, and taking the gods to witness, as is the Greek custom, but by doing actual services. The Scythians are not accustomed to promise, but to perform without promising. And they think an appeal to the gods superfluous, for those who have no regard for the esteem of men will not hesitate to offend the gods by perjury. You may therefore consider with yourself, whether you had better have a people of such a character — and so situated as to have it in their power either to serve you or to annoy you, according as you treat them — for allies, or for enemies.”