Apophthegmata Laconica

Theopompus, in answer to a man who asked how anyone could keep a kingdom most securely, said, If he concede to his friends their just share of frank speech, and, so far as lies in his power, do not suffer any of his subjects to be wronged.

In answer to a man from abroad who said that among his own citizens he was called a lover of Sparta, he said, It would be better to be called a lover of your own country than a lover of Sparta.

When the ambassador from Elis said that his citizens had sent him for the especial reason that he alone emulated the Spartan way of living, Theopompus said, Is your way of living or that of the other citizens better? And when the man said that his own was, Theopompus said, How, then, can that State be saved in which, among many citizens, only one is a good man?

When someone said that Sparta was saved through its kings, because they were competent to rule, he said, Not so, but through its citizens, because they are obedient to the rulers. [*](Cf.Moralia, 816 E, and Plutarch’s Life of Lycurgus, chap. xxx. (58 D).)

When the people of Pylos voted him some unusually high honours, he wrote in reply that time increases modest honours, but obliterates those that are extravagant.

When someone pointed out to him a wall, and inquired if it was strong and high, he said, Is it not a place where women live? [*](Cf. the note on 190 A, supra. This paragraph is not found in some MSS.)

Thorycion, arriving from Delphi and seeing in the Isthmus the forces of Philip, who had already gained possession of the narrow entrance, said, The Peloponnesus has poor gate-keepers in you, men of Corinth!

Thectamenes, when the Ephors condemned him to death, went away smiling. Someone among the bystanders asked him if he felt such contempt for the laws of Sparta. No, said he, but I rejoice to think that I must pay this penalty myself without begging or borrowing anything from anybody. [*](Cf. Cicero, Tusculan Disputations, i. 42 (100).)

Hippodamus, when Agis was taking his place on the field of battle beside Archidamus, was sent with Agis to Sparta to render his services there. But look you, said he, I shall meet no more honourable death than in playing the part of a brave man for Sparta’s sake. (He was over eighty years old.) And thereupon, seizing his arms and taking his stand at the king’s right hand, he fell fighting.

This is the answer of Hippocratidas to the governor of Caria who wrote a letter to him because

When a youth with a lover in attendance met him one day, and turned colour, he said, You ought to walk with persons such that when you are seen with them you shall keep the same complexion.

Callicratidas, an admiral, when Lysander’s friends made him a fair offer that he permit them to make away with one of their enemies and receive ten thousand pounds, although he was in sore need of money for rations for his sailors, would not consent. Cleander, who was a member of his council, said, But I would take it, if I were you. And so would I, said Callicratidas, if I were you! [*](Cf. the reply of Alexander, Moralia, 180 C (11).)

When he came to Cyrus the Younger at Sardis (who was allied with the Spartans) to get money for his fleet, on the first day he bade them send in word that he wished to have an audience with Cyrus. But when he was told that Cyrus was busy drinking, he said, I will wait till he has finished drinking. And at that time he withdrew, when he realized that it was not possible to meet Cyrus on that day, thus creating the impression that he was somewhat lacking in manners. On the succeeding day, when he was again told that Cyrus was drinking and would not come forth, he said, We must not be so eager to

Being asked what kind of men the lonians were, he said, Poor freemen, but good slaves. [*](Cf. the note on Moralia, 190 F (1), supra. )

When Cyrus sent on money to pay the soldiers, and special presents for himself as a token of friendship, he took the money only and sent back the presents, saying that there was no need of any private friendship between him and Cyrus, but the general friendship which had been contracted with all the Spartans would serve also for him. [*](Cf. Moralia, 213 D (69), supra. )

As he was about to engage in the naval battle at Arginusae, Hermon the pilot said that it would be well to sail away, for the ships of the Athenians were many more in number; but Callicratidas said, And what of that? To flee is a disgrace and an injury to Sparta. No; to stay here, be it death or be it victory, is best. [*](Cf. Xenophon, Hellenica, i. 6. 32; Cicero, De officiis, i. 24 (84).)

As he offered sacrifice before the battle, and heard from the seer that the indications of the omens were victory for the army, but death for its commander, he said, not at all disconcerted, Sparta’s

Cleombrotus, the son of Pausanias, when a man from abroad was disputing with Cleombrotus’s father about excellence, said, My father is a better man than you — until you too have become a father. [*](Cf.Moralia, 227 F (14), infra, and Plutarch’s Life of Lycurgus, chap. xv. (48 C).)