Skip to content

Agesilaus was very fond of his children; and it is…

“Agesilaus was very fond of his children; and it is reported that once toying with them he got astride upon a reed as upon a horse, and rode about the room; and being seen by one of his friends, he desired him not to speak of it till he had children of his own.” quote by Plutarch
Download Open image
“Agesilaus was very fond of his children; and it is reported that once toying with them he got astride upon a reed as upon a horse, and rode about the room; and being seen by one of his friends, he desired him not to speak of it till he had children of his own.”

Plutarch

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Agesilaus playfully pretended a reed was a horse while his children watched, then asked his friend to keep it secret until he had his own children.

In simple terms: He enjoyed a childish game with his kids and wanted to keep it private until he became a parent himself.

Key Takeaway

Cherish playful moments with children, but respect personal boundaries.

Themes

family playfulness privacy humor parenthood

Mood

warm reflective lighthearted

Type

historical anecdotal cultural

When to use this quote

  • family gatherings
  • parent‑child bonding
  • private jokes
  • cultural storytelling

Key Concepts

Greek history personal humility social etiquette

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do personal anecdotes shape our view of historical figures?
  • When is it appropriate to keep personal moments private?
A Different Perspective

The anecdote may romanticize a ruler, overlooking broader historical context.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Plutarch

Explore all 451 Plutarch quotes

More Children quotes

Browse all 62,396 Children quotes