Apophthegmata Laconica

Plutarch

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

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. )