Apophthegmata Laconica

Plutarch

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

A certain pirate overran the country, and, when he was captured, said, I had not the means to provide subsistence for my soldiers; therefore, to

those who had it, but would not willingly give it, I came with the purpose of taking it by force. To this Cleomenes said, Villainy is curt.

When a certain low fellow spoke ill of him, he said, So it is for this reason, is it, that you speak ill of everyone, that we, busied in defending ourselves, may not have time to speak of your baseness?

When one of the citizens said that the good king ought to be mild at all times and in every way, he remarked, Yes, but not to the extent of being despised.