"Remember only that Philip is our enemy, that he has long been robbing and insulting us, that wherever we have expected aid from others we have found hostility, that the future depends on ourselves, and that unless we are willing to fight him there we shall perhaps be forced to fight him here. . . .You need not speculate [guess] about the future except to assure yourselves that it will be disastrous unless you face the facts and do your duty." —Demosthenes, "The First Philippic" in Orations of Demosthenes Of what can the Greeks assure themselves if they fail in their duty? a. bankruptcy b. famine c. disaster d. plague

According to Demosthenes in "The First Philippic," if the Greeks fail in their duty, they can assure themselves of c. disaster. In his speech, Demosthenes is warning the people of Athens about the threat posed by Philip II of Macedon. He emphasizes that the Greeks must take action and face the facts of their situation, or the future will be disastrous. He does not mention specifics like bankruptcy, famine, or plague, but rather speaks generally of a disastrous outcome if they do not fight against Philip's aggression.

Extra: Demosthenes was a prominent Athenian statesman and orator in ancient Greece. His speeches against Philip II of Macedon, who was seeking to expand his territory into Greek city-states, are collectively known as the Philippics. His use of the term "disaster" broadly implies negative consequences that could affect every facet of Greek society, including their political autonomy, culture, and way of life. In this context, Demosthenes is attempting to galvanize his fellow Athenians into taking military action to defend their independence against Macedonian expansion. His warning is not only about the immediate consequences but also about the long-term implications of failing to stand up against a powerful enemy that threatened the freedom and democracy of the Greek city-states. The historical significance of Demosthenes' speeches also lies in their representation of the ideological struggle for maintaining Greek independence and identity during a period when the rise of Macedon challenged the existing balance of power in the region.