Apophthegmata Laconica

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!

When a certain musician made a great hit, they asked Eudamidas what he thought of the man, and he replied, He has great power to charm in a trifling matter. [*]( )

When someone praised Athens, he said And who could praise that city deservedly, towards which nobody has ever felt any affection for having been made a better man by it?

When a man from Argos said that the Spartans became more unscrupulous on going abroad and being out of the control of their long-established laws, [*](Lions at home, but foxes abroad was proverbial. Cf. Plutarch’s Comparison of Lysander and Sulla, chap. iii. (476 E).) he said, But you, when you come to Sparta, do not become worse, but better.

When Alexander caused proclamation to be made at Olympia that all exiles might return to their own land, [*](In 323 B.C. Cf. Diodorus, xviii. 8.) save only the Thebans, Eudamidas said, The proclamation for you, men of Thebes, is unfortunate, but very complimentary; for it is you only that Alexander fears.