Regum et imperatorum apophthegmata

Plutarch

Plutarch. Moralia, Vol. III. Babbitt, Frank Cole, translator. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1931 (printing).

Agis the king said that the Spartans do not ask how many are the enemy, but where are they. [*](Cf. Moralia, 215 D, infra.)

At Mantineia, when efforts were made to dissuade him from risking a battle with the enemy who outnumbered his own men, he said, He who would rule over many must fight with many. [*](Ibid.)

When the Eleans were commended for conducting the Olympic games honourably, he said, What wonderful feat is it if they practise justice on one day in four years ? And when these same persons were persistent in their commendation, he said, What wonder if they practise honourably an honourable thing, that is, justice ? [*](Ibid. 215 F, and Plutarch’s Life of Lycurgus, chap. xx. (52 C).)

To a base man, who asked him many times who was the best of the Spartans, he replied, The one most unlike you. [*](Life of Lycurgus and Moralia, 216 C.)

When another man inquired about the number

of the Spartans, he said, Enough to keep away all bad men. [*](Cf. Moralia, 215 D; (5) infra; Plutarch’s Life of Lycurgus, chap. xx. (52 D).)

When another asked the same question, he said, You will think they are many, if you see them fight.