Pythias once, scoffing at Demosthenes, said that his arguments smelt of the lamp. — Plutarch Copy Share Image
He who first called money the sinews of the state seems to have said this with special reference to war. — Plutarch Copy Share Image
Socrates said he was not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world. — Plutarch Copy Share Image
King Agis said, "The Lacedæmonians are not wont to ask how many, but where the enemy are." — Plutarch Copy Share Image
Lysander said that the law spoke too softly to be heard in such a noise of war. — Plutarch Copy Share Image
Cicero said loud-bawling orators were driven by their weakness to noise, as lame men to take horse. — Plutarch Copy Share Image
To one that promised to give him hardy cocks that would die fighting, "Prithee," said Cleomenes, "give me cocks that will kill… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
Cicero called Aristotle a river of flowing gold, and said of Plato's Dialogues, that if Jupiter were to speak, it would be… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
Pittacus said, "Every one of you hath his particular plague, and my wife is mine; and he is very happy who hath… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
Remember what Simonides said, that he never repented that he had held his tongue, but often that he had spoken. — Plutarch Copy Share Image
There were two brothers called Both and Either; perceiving Either was a good, understanding, busy fellow, and Both a silly fellow and… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
Phocion compared the speeches of Leosthenes to cypress-trees. "They are tall," said he, "and comely, but bear no fruit." — Plutarch Copy Share Image
A traveller at Sparta, standing long upon one leg, said to a Lacedaemonian, "I do not believe you can do as much."… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
A soldier told Pelopidas, "We are fallen among the enemies." Said he, "How are we fallen among them more than they among… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
When Darius offered him ten thousand talents, and to divide Asia equally with him, "I would accept it," said Parmenio, "were I… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
When Anaxagoras was told of the death of his son, he only said, "I knew he was mortal." So we in all… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
Pompey had fought brilliantly and in the end routed Caesar's whole force... but either he was unable to or else he feared… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
Thrasyllus the Cynic begged a drachm of Antigonus. "That," said he, "is too little for a king to give." "Why, then," said… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
Antagoras the poet was boiling a conger, and Antigonus, coming behind him as he was stirring his skillet, said, "Do you think,… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
As to Caesar, when he was called upon, he gave no testimony against Clodius, nor did he affirm that he was certain… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
Whenever anything is spoken against you that is not true, do not pass by or despise it because it is false; but… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
Lycurgus the Lacedæmonian brought long hair into fashion among his countrymen, saying that it rendered those that were handsome more beautiful, and… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, "This is a wonderful speech," said… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
Someone praising a man for his foolhardy bravery, Cato, the elder, said, ''There is a wide difference between true courage and a… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
Themistocles being asked whether he would rather be Achilles or Homer, said, "Which would you rather be, a conqueror in the Olympic… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
When one told Plistarchus that a notorious railer spoke well of him, "I'll lay my life," said he, "somebody hath told him… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
When Philip had news brought him of divers and eminent successes in one day, "O Fortune!" said he, "for all these so… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
After the battle in Pharsalia, when Pompey was fled, one Nonius said they had seven eagles left still, and advised to try… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
Aristodemus, a friend of Antigonus, supposed to be a cook's son, advised him to moderate his gifts and expenses. "Thy words," said… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
Demosthenes told Phocion, "The Athenians will kill you some day when they once are in a rage." "And you," said he, "if… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
Epaminondas is reported wittily to have said of a good man that died about the time of the battle of Leuctra, "How… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
Lysander, when Dionysius sent him two gowns, and bade him choose which he would carry to his daughter, said, "She can choose… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
Alcibiades had a very handsome dog, that cost him seven thousand drachmas; and he cut off his tail, "that," said he, "the… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
Once when Phocion had delivered an opinion which pleased the people, he turned to his friend and said, "Have I not unawares… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
To Harmodius, descended from the ancient Harmodius, when he reviled Iphicrates [a shoemaker's son] for his mean birth, "My nobility," said he,… — Plutarch Copy Share Image
When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, "This is a wonderful speech," said he; "but… — Plutarch Copy Share
King Agis said, "The Lacedæmonians are not wont to ask how many, but where the enemy are." — Plutarch Copy Share
Alexander wept when he heard from Anaxarchus that there was an infinite number of worlds; and his friends asking him if any accident had… — Plutarch Copy Share
Speech is like cloth of Arras opened and put abroad, whereby the imagery doth appear in figure; whereas in thoughts they lie but as… — Plutarch Copy Share
There were two brothers called Both and Either; perceiving Either was a good, understanding, busy fellow, and Both a silly fellow and good for… — Plutarch Copy Share
Why does pouring Oil on the Sea make it Clear and Calm? Is it that the winds, slipping the smooth oil, have no force,… — Plutarch Copy Share
This excerpt is presented as reproduced by Copernicus in the preface to De Revolutionibus: "Some think that the earth remains at rest. But Philolaus… — Plutarch Copy Share
It is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risk everything. — Plutarch Copy Share
“In Springtime, O Dionysos, To thy holy temple come, To Elis with thy Graces, Rushing with thy bull-foot, come, Noble Bull, Noble Bull” — Plutarch Copy Share
![“Pompey had fought brilliantly and in the end routed Caesar's whole force... but either he was unable to or else he feared to push on. Caesar [said] to his friends: 'Today the enemy would have won, if they had had a commander who was a winner.'” quote by Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a03/plutarch-597_commanders_pompey-had-fought-brilliantly-and-in-the_2019989.jpg)
![“To Harmodius, descended from the ancient Harmodius, when he reviled Iphicrates [a shoemaker's son] for his mean birth, "My nobility," said he, "begins in me, but yours ends in you.” quote by Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6df/plutarch-597_ancient_to-harmodius-descended-from-the-ancient_2292427.jpg)