Apophthegmata Laconica

Some time after his death, when a dispute arose regarding a certain alliance, Agesilaus came to Lysander’s house to examine the documents in regard to this, for Lysander had kept these at his own house. Agesilaus found also a book written by Lysander in regard to the government, to this effect: that the citizens should take away the kingship from the Eurypontids and the Agiads [*](Cf. the note on Moralia, 231 C (1), infra. ) and put it up for election, and make their choice from the best men, so that this high honour should belong not to those who were descended from Heracles, but to men like Heracles, who should be selected for their excellence; for it was because of such excellence that Heracles was exalted to divine honours. This document Agesilaus was bent upon publishing to the citizens, and demonstrating what kind of a citizen Lysander had been in secret, and with the purpose also of discrediting the friends of Lysander. But they say that Cratidas, who at that time was at the head of the Ephors, anxious lest, if the speech should be read, it might convert the people to this way of thinking, restrained Agesilaus and said that he ought not to disinter Lysander, but to inter the speech along with him, since it was composed with a vicious purpose and in a plausible vein. [*](Cf. the note on Moralia, 212 C (52), supra. )

The suitors of his daughters, when after his death he was found to be a poor man, renounced their obligations; but the Ephors punished them because when they thought he was rich they courted his favour, but when they found from his poverty that he was just and honest they disdained him. [*](Cf. Plutarch’s Life of Lysander, chap. xxx. (451 A), and Aelian, Varia Historia, vi. 4, and x. 15.)

Namertes was sent as an ambassador, and when one of the people in that country congratulated him because he had many friends, he asked if this man had any sure means of testing the man of many friends; and when the other desired to learn, Namertes said, By means of misfortune. [*](Cf. John Heywood, Proverbs, part. i. chap. 11: But indeede a friend is never known till a man have neede. )

Nicander, when someone said that the Argives were speaking ill of him, said, Well then, they are paying the penalty for speaking ill of the good! [*](He was invading Argolis and laying waste the country; see Pausanias, iii. 7. 4.)

When someone inquired why the Spartans wore their hair long and cultivated beards, he said, Because for a man his own adornment is the very best and cheapest. [*](Cf. the note on Moralia, 189 F (3), supra. )

When one of the Athenians said, Nicander, you Spartans insist too much on your principle of doing no work, he said, Quite true; we do not make work of this thing or that thing in your haphazard fashion. [*](Cf.Moralia, 348 F and 710 F; Plato, Laws, 803 C-D. See also the note on Moralia, 221 C, supra. )

Panthoedas went on embassy to Asia and when they pointed out to him a very strong wall he said, By Heaven, strangers, fine quarters for women! [*](Cf. the note on Moralia, 190 A, supra. )