Regum et imperatorum apophthegmata

When Antigonus was about to engage in a naval battle against Ptolemy’s generals, the pilot said that the ships of the enemy far outnumbered their own. But, said Antigonus, how many ships do you think my own presence here is equivalent to ? [*](Cf. Moralia, 545 B, and Plutarch’s Life of Pelopidas, chap. ii. (278 D), both showing variation in wording and details; also Athenaeus, 209 E, and Gulick’s note in the L.C.L., vol. ii. p. 447.)

Once when he was withdrawing before the advance of the enemy, he said that he was not fleeing, but was following up his advantage, which lay in the rear.

When a young man, son of a brave father, but not himself having any reputation for being a good soldier, suggested the propriety of his receiving his father’s emoluments, Antigonus said, My boy, I give pay and presents for the excellence of a man, not for the excellence of his father.

When Zeno of Citium died, whom he admired most among the philosophers, he said that the audience to hear of his exploits had been taken away. [*](Cf. Diogenes Laertius, vii. 15.)

Lysimachus was overpowered by Dromichaetas in Thrace, and because of thirst surrendered himself and his army [*](In 292 B.C.); and when he drank after he had been made a prisoner, he said, My God, for what a little pleasure have I made myself a slave from being a king ! [*](The story is repeated with slight variations in Moralia, 126 E and 555 D; the capture of Lysimachus is recorded in Plutarch’s Life of Demetrius, chap. xxxix. (908 B); Polyaenus, Strategemata, vii. 25; Diodorus, xxi. 12.)

To Philippides the comic poet who was his friend and intimate he said, What of mine shall I share