Maxims of Theognis: Cyrnus, this city is pregnant

Cyrnus, this city is pregnant: but I fear that it will bring-forth a man to be a chastiser of our evil violence. For the citizens here on their part are as yet sober-minded: but the leaders, have turned themselves so as to fall into much worthlessness. No city yet, Cyrnus, have good men ruined; but when it pleases the bad to be insolent, and they corrupt the commons, and give judgments in favour of the unjust, for the sake of private gains and power, expect that that city will not long be kept tranquil, even though now it is settled in much calm, when these gains shall have become dear to the ignoble men, coming along with public hurt. For from these is sedition, and civil bloodshed of men, and to a state such as this a monarch would never be pleasing.