Apophthegmata Laconica

Plutarch

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

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. )

He said that the Spartans did not ask how many are the enemy, but where are they? [*](Cf. the note on 190 C (1), supra. )

When, at Mantineia, he was not permitted to risk a decisive battle with the enemy, who outnumbered his men, he said, He who would rule over many must fight with many. [*](Cf. the note on 190 C (2), supra. )

When someone inquired how many Spartans there were, he said, Enough to keep all bad men away. [*](Cf. the note on 190 D (5), supra. )

As he was going about among the walls of the Corinthians and observed that they were high and

towering and vast in extent, he said, What women live in that place? [*](Cf. the note on 190 A, supra. )

When a lecturer said, Speech is the most important thing of all, he retorted, Then if you are silent, you are of no worth at all!

When the Argives, after their defeat, met him again with greater boldness, and he saw that his allies were greatly perturbed, he said, Do not be afraid, men; for when we who are victorious are frightened, what do you think those vanquished by us are doing?