When the exiles were inciting him to lead his army against the Athenians, and saying that, when his name was proclaimed at Olympia, they were the only people who hissed him, he said, What do you think that those who hissed when they were being well treated will do if they are treated ill ? A similar remark is attributed to Philip of Macedon in , 143 F, 179 A, and 457 F.

When someone inquired why the Spartans had made Tyrtaeus the poet a citizen, he said, So that a stranger shall never appear as our leader. Tyrtaeus, according to tradition, was a native of Athens.

In answer to the man who was weak in body, but was urging that they risk a battle against the enemy by both land and sea, he said, Are you willing to strip yourself and show what kind of a man you are — you who advise us to fight?