Spartans Quote by Plutarch
““When someone asked Demaratus why the Spartans disgrace those who throw away their shields but not those who abandon their breastplates or helmets, he said that they put the latter on for their own sakes but the shield for the sake of the whole line.””
About This Quote
Source Historical Text: Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans, c. 100 AD
Spartans honor collective defense over personal safety; shields protect the group, while personal armor protects only the individual.
In simple terms: Group defense is valued over personal gear.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize collective safety.
Themes
duty
collectivism
military ethics
honor
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
historical
ethical
When to use this quote
- team sports
- military training
- community projects
- emergency planning
Key Concepts
philosophy
history
strategy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance personal risk with group responsibility?
- When is personal protection justified over group duty?
A Different Perspective
Individual safety can be essential in certain contexts.
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![“O Stranger, send the news home to the people of Sparta that here we Are laid to rest: the commands they gave us have been obeyed. Ὦ ξεῖν', ἀγγέλλειν Λακεδαιμονίοις ὅτι τῇδε κείμεθα, τοῖς κείνων ῥήμασι πειθόμενοι. [Epitaph of the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae]” quote by Simonides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7da/simonides-61471_300_o-stranger-send-the-news-home-to-the-peo_737958.jpg)
