Apophthegmata Laconica

The Argives, after the battle of the three hundred, [*](Herodotus, i. 82.) were again overcome, with all their forces, in a set battle, and the allies urged Polydorus not to let slip the opportunity, but to make a descent upon the enemy’s wall and capture their city; for this, they said, would be very easy, since the men had been destroyed and the women only were left. He said in answer to them, To my mind it is honourable, when fighting on even terms, to conquer our opponents, but, after having fought to settle the boundaries of the country, to desire to capture the city I do not regard as just; for I came to recapture territory and not to capture a city.

Being asked why the Spartans risked their lives so bravely in war, he said, Because they have learned to respect their commanders and not to fear them. [*](Cf.Moralia, 217 A (5), and 227 D (12).)

Polycratidas was sent, along with others, as ambassador to the king’s generals, and when these asked whether they were there as private citizens or had been sent as public representatives, he said, If we succeed, public; if not, private. [*](Cf. Plutarch’s Life of Lycurgus, chap. xxv. (55 C).)

Phoebidas, before the hazardous engagement at Leuctra, when some remarked that this day would show the brave man, said that the day was worth much if it had the power to show the brave man.

The story is told that Soils, being besieged by the Cleitorians in a rugged and waterless stronghold, agreed to give up to them the land which he had captured by the spear if all the men with him should drink from the neighbouring spring. This spring the enemy were guarding. When the oaths had been exchanged, he got together his men and offered the kingdom to the man who would not drink; however no one had the strength to resist, but they all drank; whereupon he came down after all the rest, and sprinkled himself, the enemy still being present, and went back and took possession of the land on the ground that he had not drunk. [*](Cf. Plutarch’s Life of Lycurgus, chap. ii. (40 C).)

Teleclus, in answer to the man who said that Teleclus’s father was speaking ill of him, said, If he had had no cause to speak, he would not have spoken.

When his brother said to him that the citizens did not comport themselves toward himself as they did toward the king (although he was of the same family), but with much less consideration, he said, The reason is, you do not know how to submit to injustice, and I do. [*](Cf.Moralia, 190 A, supra. )

Being asked why it was the custom among them for the younger men to rise up and give place to the elder, he said, So that, having this attitude regarding honour toward those who are not related to them, they may pay greater honour to their parents. [*](Cf.Moralia, 237 D, infra; Xenophon, Constitution of Sparta, 6, 1-3. )

When someone inquired how much property he possessed, he said, Not more than enough.

Charillus, being asked why Lycurgus made so few laws, said, Because those who use few words have need of but few laws. [*](Cf.Moralia, 189 F (1), supra. )

When someone inquired why they took their girls into public places unveiled, but their married women veiled, he said, Because the girls have to find husbands, and the married women have to keep to those who have them !