Apophthegmata Laconica

Demaratus, when Orontes had talked to him rather haughtily and someone remarked, Orontes has treated you haughtily, Demaratus, said, He has committed no fault against me; for it is those who talk to please that do harm, not those who talk with hatred at heart.

When someone asked why they visited disgrace upon those among them who lost their shields, but did not do the same thing to those who lost their helmets or their breastplates, he said, Because these they put on for their own sake, but the shield for the common good of the whole line.

As he was listening to a musician, he said, He seems to do his silly task fairly well. [*](Cf. the similar remarks in Moralia, 220 F (6) and 234 D (42), infra. )

In a council meeting he was asked whether it was due to foolishness or lack of words that he said nothing. But a fool, said he, would not be able to hold his tongue. [*](Cf. the similar remark of Bias in Moralia, 503 F, and of Solon in Stobaeus, Florilegium, xxxiv. 15.)

When someone inquired why he was an exile from Sparta, being a king, he said, Because her laws are more powerful than I am.

When one of the Persians, by unremitting bribery, had got away from him his beloved youth, and said to him, Ho, Spartan, I have captivated your beloved, he said, Not you, I swear, but you have bought and paid for him!

When one of the Persians deserted from the king and was persuaded by Demaratus to change

In answer to a man who was a parasite of the king and often jeered at him over his exile, he said, I have no quarrel with you, my friend; for I have squandered my position in life.