There are things, then, hotter than fire; there are speeches more shameless still Than the shameless speeches of those who rule the City at will.
~ ‘The Knights’ by Aristophanes (Benjamin B. Rogers translation. GB5 - p. 474)
The play starts with two slaves, Demosthenes and Nicias, running out of their master, Demus’ home, wailing and complaining about a new slave, Paphlagon, who has become the master’s favorite and has been getting other slaves flogged. They cannot run away since deserters are punished severely. They are even afraid to say the word desert and hence say ‘sert’ and ‘de’ a few times. They mention that Paphlagon, though new to the household, is ‘the greatest rogue and liar in the world’ and has gained influence over Demus through flattery and cunningness. After Demosthenes mentions that wine can make him think clearly, Nicias goes into the house and steals a bottle. Having found that Paphlagon is sleeping, Nicias again sneaks into the house and comes back with the sacred oracle with a list of prophecies, which describe a succession of “sellers” who will take over the home - An oakum-seller, A sheep-seller, a leather-seller (Paphlagon) and finally a sausage-seller who will overthrow Paphlagon. The sausage-seller comes their way and they are overjoyed. While Nicias goes inside to watch over Paphlagon, Demosthenes tells the sausage-seller that he is lucky - he will rule everything - the Agora, the Harbors, the Pnyx, etc. The sausage-seller is reluctant and skeptical and says that he lacks the basic education, to which Demosthenes replies that being uneducated makes him perfect for leadership!
To be a Demus-leader is not now / For lettered men, nor yet for honest men / But for the base and ignorant. Don’t let slip / The bright occasion which the Gods provide you.