Regum et imperatorum apophthegmata

Orontes, the son-in-law of King Artaxerxes, became involved in disgrace because of an accusation, [*](Against Tiribazus according to Diodorus, xv. 10-11, where the story is told at length.) and, when the decision was given against him, he said that, as mathematicians’ fingers are able to represent tens of thousands at one time, and at another

time only units,[*](Cf. Pauly-Wissowa, Real-Encyclopadie, ii. p. 1068.) so it was the same with the friends of kings: at one time they are omnipotent and at another time almost impotent. [*](A similar remark is attribute to Solon by Dogenes Laertius, i. 59.)