ἄλογον δὴ τὸ μήτε μάχης ἄρξασθαι μήτε τοὺς φίλους φυλάξαι, ἐὰν ὑπό γε τῶν βαρβάρων ἀδικῆσθε → It is irrational neither to begin battle nor to guard the friends, if you are ever wronged by the foreigners
gently: P. and V. ἠπίως, P. πράως, φιλανθρώπως, V. εὐφρόνως, πρευμενῶς; see gently.
softly: Ar. and P. μαλακῶς, Ar. and V. μαλθακῶς.
moderately: P. and V. μετρίως.