Apophthegmata Laconica

Ecprepes, an Ephor, cut out with an adze two of the nine strings of Phrynis the musician, saying, Do not murder music. [*](The story is repeated in Plutarch’s Life of Agis, chap. x. (799 F), and with variaions in Moralia, 84 A, 238 C (infra); Athenaeus 636 E; Boethius, De Musica, i. 1.)

Epaenetus said that liars are to blame for all sins and crimes.

Euboedas, on hearing some men praising the wife of another man, could not stomach it, saying, In regard to a woman’s endowments there should be absolutely no talk among those outside the family. [*](Cf. the note on Moralia, 217 F, supra. )

Eudamidas, the son of Archidamus and the brother of Agis, seeing Xenocrates in the Academy,

Hearing a philosopher discoursing to the effect that the wise man is the only good general, he said, The speech is admirable, but the speaker is not to be trusted; for he has never been amid the blare of trumpets. [*](Cf. the note on Moralia, 192 A, supra. )

Xenocrates had been expounding his theme, and had just reached the stopping-point when Eudamidas arrived. One of the persons with him remarked, Just when we arrive he comes to the stopping-point. Quite properly so, said Eudamidas, if he has already said all he wanted to say. It would have been nice to hear him, said the other. Indeed, said Eudamidas, and if we came to a man who had just dined, should we insist that he eat another dinner?

Someone inquired why, when the citizens professed to be all for war against the Macedonians, he himself decided in favour of keeping the peace. He replied, Because I do not need to prove that they are lying.

When another man brought up their brave successes against the Persians, and was urgent for the war, Eudamidas said, You do not seem to realize that your proposition is the same as fighting fifty wolves after overcoming a thousand sheep!