John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
Page 920
| Plutarch. (A.D. 46?–A.D. c. 120) (continued) |
| 8857 |
| Phocion compared the speeches of Leosthenes to cypress-trees. “They are tall,” said he, “and comely, but bear no fruit.” |
| Apophthegms of Kings and Great Commanders. 1 Phocion. |
| 8858 |
| Lycurgus the Lacedæmonian brought long hair into fashion among his countrymen, saying that it rendered those that were handsome more beautiful, and those that were deformed more terrible. To one that advised him to set up a democracy in Sparta, “Pray,” said Lycurgus, “do you first set up a democracy in your own house.” |
| Apophthegms of Kings and Great Commanders. 2 Lycurgus. |
| 8859 |
| King Agis said, “The Lacedæmonians are not wont to ask how many, but where the enemy are.” |
| Apophthegms of Kings and Great Commanders. 3 Agis. |
| 8860 |
| Lysander said, “Where the lion’s skin will not reach, it must be pieced with the fox’s.” 4 |
| Apophthegms of Kings and Great Commanders. 5 Lysander. |
| 8861 |
| To one that promised to give him hardy cocks that would die fighting, “Prithee,” said Cleomenes, “give me cocks that will kill fighting.” |
| Apophthegms of Kings and Great Commanders. 6 Cleomenes. |
| 8862 |
| When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, “This is a wonderful speech,” said he; “but he that saith it never heard the sound of trumpets.” |
| Apophthegms of Kings and Great Commanders. 7 Eudæmonidas. |
| 8863 |
| A soldier told Pelopidas, “We are fallen among the enemies.” Said he, “How are we fallen among them more than they among us?” |
| Apophthegms of Kings and Great Commanders. 8 Pelopidas. |
| 8864 |
| Cato the elder wondered how that city was preserved wherein a fish was sold for more than an ox. |
| Roman Apophthegms. Cato the Elder. |
| 8865 |
| Cato instigated the magistrates to punish all offenders, saying that they that did not prevent crimes when they might, encouraged them. 9 Of young men, he liked them that blushed better than those who looked pale. |
| Roman Apophthegms. Cato the Elder. |
| Note 1. Rejected by some critics as not a genuine work of Plutarch.—Ralph Waldo Emerson. [back] |
| Note 2. Rejected by some critics as not a genuine work of Plutarch.—Ralph Waldo Emerson. [back] |
| Note 3. Rejected by some critics as not a genuine work of Plutarch.—Ralph Waldo Emerson. [back] |
| Note 4. Lysander said, “When the lion’s skin cannot prevail, a little of the fox’s must be used.”—Laconic Apophthegms. (Lysander.) [back] |
| Note 5. Rejected by some critics as not a genuine work of Plutarch.—Ralph Waldo Emerson. [back] |
| Note 6. Rejected by some critics as not a genuine work of Plutarch.—Ralph Waldo Emerson. [back] |
| Note 7. Rejected by some critics as not a genuine work of Plutarch.—Ralph Waldo Emerson. [back] |
| Note 8. Rejected by some critics as not a genuine work of Plutarch.—Ralph Waldo Emerson. [back] |
| Note 9. Pardon one offence, and you encourage the commission of many.—Publius Syrus: Maxim 750. [back] |