Apophthegmata Laconica
Plutarch
Plutarch. Moralia, Vol. III. Babbitt, Frank Cole, translator. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1931 (printing).
While the enemy were digging a ditch to surround his position (as they could do by reason of their vast numbers), and Nectanabis, with whom he was allied, was insistent upon a sortie and a decisive battle, Agesilaus said that he would not hinder the enemy in their desire to put themselves on equal terms with the defenders. And when the trench lacked but little of completion, he drew up his men in the open space between the ends, and, fighting with equal numbers against equal numbers,
he routed the enemy with great slaughter by means of few soldiers with him, and sent home much money for the State. [*](Cf. Plutarch’s Life of Agesilaus, chap. xxxix. (618 A), Moralia, 191 C (11), supra, and the note.)On his way home from Egypt death came to him, and in his last hours he gave directions to those with him that they should not cause to be made any sculptured or painted or imitative representation of his person. For if I have done any goodly deed, that shall be my memorial; but if not, then not all the statues in the world, the works of menial and worthless men, will avail. [*](Cf.Moralia, 191 D (12), supra, and the note.)
Agesipolis, son of Cleombrotus, when somebody said that Philip in a few days had razed Olynthus to the ground, said, By Heaven, he will not build another like it in many years! [*](Cf.Moralia, 40 E and 458 B.)
When someone else remarked that he while king had been made hostage with those in the prime of life, and not their children or their women, he said, That is but just, for it is good that we ourselves should bear the consequences of our own mistakes.
When he wished to send for some dogs from home, and someone said, There is no such export permitted from there, he said, Nor was there of men before this; but now it has been done!
Agesipolis, the son of Pausanias, when the Athenians
offered to accept the city of Megara as arbitrator regarding some complaints which they had each against the other, said, It is a shame, men of Athens, that those who have held the hegemony of the Greeks should know less about justice than the Megarians.Once upon a time the Ephors said to Agis the son of Archidamus, Take the young men and march against the country of this man here. He will himself guide you to its citadel. And how, sirs, said Agis, is it right to entrust so many youths to a man who is betraying his own country? [*](See the note on Moralia, 191 E (2), supra, where the saying is attributed to the younger Agis.)
Being asked what form of instruction was most in vogue in Sparta, he said, Knowledge of how to rule and to be ruled. [*](Cf. the note on 212 C (51), supra. )