Plutarch

Plutarch (c. 50-120)

"So very difficult a matter is it to trace and find out the truth of any thing by history, when, on the one hand, those who afterwords write it find long periods of time intercepting their view, and, on the other hand, the contemporary records of any actions and lives, partly through envy and ill-will, partly through favor and flattery, pervert and distort truth."

• Plutarch in Parallel Lives (Life of Pericles, 13.12). The edition used here is from the Harvard Classics series, edited by Charles W. Eliot, and published by P. F. Collier & Son (1909, 1937).

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Pericles

Pericles (c. 495-429 BCE)

"A general ought not only to have clean hands, but also clean eyes."

• Quote attributed to Pericles by Plutarch in Parallel Lives (Life of Pericles, 8.5). The edition used here is from the Harvard Classics series, edited by Charles W. Eliot, and published by P. F. Collier & Son (1909, 1937).

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Plutarch

Plutarch (c. 50-120)

"Moral good is a practical stimulus; it is no sooner seen, than it inspires an impulse to practise; and influences the mind and character not by a mere imitation which we look at, but, by the statement of the fact, creates a moral purpose which we form."

• Quote by Plutarch in Parallel Lives (Life of Pericles). The edition used here is from the Harvard Classics series, edited by Charles W. Eliot, and published by P. F. Collier & Son (1909, 1937).

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Brasidas (Sayings of the Spartans)

Brasidas (d. 422 BCE)

"There is nothing so tiny that it lacks the courage to repel its assailants and save itself."

• Quote attributed to the Spartan general, Brasidas, recoreded in the Sayings of the Spartans, presumably collected by Plutarch, included in On Sparta, translated by Richard J. A. Talbert. New York: Penguin Classics, 2005.

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King Cleomenes III of Sparta

King Cleomenes III of Sparta (r. 235-222 BCE)

"The man who despairs in the face of difficulties and hardships, or of public censure and opinion, is defeated by his own feebleness."

• Quote attributed to Cleomenes III in Plutarch's Life of Cleomenes, excerpted from Plutarch's Parallel Lives, translated by Richard J. A. Talbert. New York: Penguin Classics, 2005.

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Lysander (recorded by Plutarch)

Lysander (d. 395 BCE)

"Children have to be tricked with dice, but men with oaths."

• Quote attributed to Lysander in the Sayings of the Spartans, presumably collected by Plutarch, in On Sparta, translated by Richard J. A. Talbert. New York: Penguin Classics, 2005.

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Agesilaus II

King Agesilaus II of Sparta (r. 400-360 BCE)

"It isn't positions which lend men distinction, but men who enhance positions."

• Quote attributed to King Agesilaus II in the Sayings of the Spartans, presumably collected by Plutarch, in On Sparta, translated by Richard J. A. Talbert. New York: Penguin Classics, 2005.

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King Agesilaus II (Sayings of the Spartans)

King Agesilaus II (r. 400-360 BCE)

"Cities shouldn't be fortified with stones or timbers, but with the valour of their inhabitants."

•  Quote attributed to King Agesilaus II in the Sayings of the Spartans, presumably collected by Plutarch, in On Sparta, translated by Richard J. A. Talbert. New York: Penguin Classics, 2005.

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Agis II (Sayings of the Spartans)

Agis II (King of Sparta, r. 427-400 BCE)

"The man who wants to rule many men must fight many."

•  Sayings of the Spartans, presumably collected by Plutarch, in On Sparta, translated by Richard J. A. Talbert. New York: Penguin Classics, 2005.

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Plutarch

Plutarch (c. 50-120)

"There is no difference between a friend and a mercenary except that the former is kept by the way he is treated and addressed, and the latter by money."

• On Sparta (Life of Cleomenes), excerpted from Plutarch's Parallel Lives, translated by Richard J. A. Talbert. New York: Penguin Classics, 2005.

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Plutarch

Plutarch (c. 50-120)

"Politicians, too, whose sights are set on glory, are servants of the crowd even though they are called rulers."

• On Sparta (Life of Agis), excerpted from Plutarch's Parallel Lives, translated by Richard J. A. Talbert. New York: Penguin Classics, 2005.

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Plutarch

Plutarch (c. 50-120)

"To push too far is risky in all circumstances, but when political ambitions are involved it is fatal."

• On Sparta (Life of Agis), excerpted from Plutarch's Parallel Lives, translated by Richard J. A. Talbert. New York: Penguin Classics, 2005.

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Plutarch

Plutarch (approx. 50-120)

"We may note that ambitious spirits do far more harm than good in a state, unless they can keep their aspirations within proper limits."

• On Sparta (Life of Lycurgus), excerpted from Plutarch's Parallel Lives, translated by Richard J. A. Talbert. New York: Penguin Classics, 2005.

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Plutarch

Plutarch (c. 50-120)

"By definition foreigners must bring in foreign ideas with them, and novel ideas lead to novel attitudes. Hence inevitably many emotions and preferences emerge which - if the existing government be likened to a piece of music - are out of tune with it."

• On Sparta (Life of Lycurgus), excerpted from Plutarch's Parallel Lives, translated by Richard J. A. Talbert. New York: Penguin Classics, 2005.

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