Demonax

When a woman named Danae had a dispute with her brother, he said: “Go to law!

Though your name be Danae, you are not the daughter "of Acrisius (Lawless).” [*](Whipping was a feature of the Spartan training.)

Above all, he made war on those who cultivate philosophy in the spirit of vainglory and not in the spirit of truth. For example, on seeing a Cynic with cloak and wallet, but with a bar (hyperon) for a

When he saw many of the athletes fighting foul and breaking the rules of the games by biting instead of boxing, he said : “No wonder the athletes of the present day are called ‘lions’ by their hangers-on !”

His remark to the proconsul was at once clever and cutting. This man was one of the sort that use pitch to remove hair from their legs and their whole bodies. When a Cynic mounted a stone and charged him with this, accusing him of effeminacy, he was angry, had the fellow hauled down and was on the point of confining him in the stocks or even sentencing him to exile. But Demonax, who was passing by, begged him to pardon the man for making bold to speak his mind in the traditional Cynic way. The proconsul said: “Well, I will let him off for you this time, but if he ever dares to do such a thing again, what shall be done to him?” "Have him depilated !" said Demonax.

One to whom the emperor had entrusted the command of legions and of the most important province asked Demonax what was the best way to exercise authority. “Don’t lose your temper!” said he: “Do little talking and much listening!”

When someone asked him: “Do you eat honeycakes?”’ he replied: “What! do you think the bees lay up their honey just for fools?”