--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A traveller at Sparta, standing long upon…" description: "\"A traveller at Sparta, standing long upon one leg, said to a Lacedaemonian, \"I do not believe you can do as much.\" \"True,\" said he, \"but every goose ca..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edb/plutarch-597_belief_a-traveller-at-sparta-standing-long-upon_2361643.jpg" --- # A traveller at Sparta, standing long upon one leg, said to… ![“A traveller at Sparta, standing long upon one leg, said to a Lacedaemonian, "I do not believe you can do as much." "True," said he, "but every goose can."” quote by Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edb/plutarch-597_belief_a-traveller-at-sparta-standing-long-upon_2361643.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edb/plutarch-597_belief_a-traveller-at-sparta-standing-long-upon_2361643.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edb/plutarch-597_belief_a-traveller-at-sparta-standing-long-upon_2361643.jpg) > “A traveller at Sparta, standing long upon one leg, said to a Lacedaemonian, "I do not believe you can do as much." "True," said he, "but every goose can."” [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A Spartan challenges a fellow citizen’s claim, noting that even a goose can achieve similar feats. **In simple terms:** Even simple beings can match lofty claims. Key Takeaway Question assumptions about ability. Themes humor philosophy challenge Mood reflective lighthearted Type aphilosophical motivational When to use this quote - team building - leadership training - personal growth Key Concepts humility comparison capability Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions do you hold about others? - How can humility improve teamwork? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on competition can ignore collaboration. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Sparta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sparta/) [Traveller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/traveller/) ## Related quotes > [“I would have done anything. Don’t you know that?” “No.” “Then you haven’t been paying close attention. I love you. Even more than gold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/i-would-have-done-anything-don-t-you-know-that-no-then-you-haven-t/) [Shana Abe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“Don't play," said Hermione at once. "Say you're ill," said Ron. 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Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [ “It was natural for \[Spartan women\] to think and speak as Gorgo, the wife of Leonidas, is said to have done, when some foreign… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/it-was-natural-for-spartan-women-to-think-and-speak-as-gorgo-the-wife/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [ “Their \[Lacadaemonian\] women, it is said, were bold and masculine, overbearing to their husbands in the first place, absolute mistresses in their houses, giving… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/their-lacadaemonian-women-it-is-said-were-bold-and-masculine/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [A Spartan woman, as she handed her son his shield, exhorted him saying, "As a warrior of Sparta come back with your shield or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/a-spartan-woman-as-she-handed-her-son-his-shield-exhorted-him-saying/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Lycurgus the Lacedæmonian brought long hair into fashion among his countrymen, saying that it rendered those that were handsome more beautiful, and those that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/lycurgus-the-laced-monian-brought-long-hair-into-fashion-among-his/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Foreign lady once remarked to the wife of a Spartan commander that the women of Sparta were the only women in the world who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/foreign-lady-once-remarked-to-the-wife-of-a-spartan-commander-that/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [“Demaratus, being asked in a troublesome manner by an importunate fellow, Who was the best man in Lacedaemon? answered at last, 'He, Sir, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/demaratus-being-asked-in-a-troublesome-manner-by-an-importunate/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Come back with your shield - or on it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/come-back-with-your-shield-or-on-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Look at The Iliad, there's all this stuff about men loving children. 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But Philolaus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/this-excerpt-is-presented-as-reproduced-by-copernicus-in-the-preface/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [It is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risk everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/it-is-part-of-a-good-man-to-do-great-and-noble-deeds-though-he-risk/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [I am whatever was, or is, or will be; and my veil no mortal ever took up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/i-am-whatever-was-or-is-or-will-be-and-my-veil-no-mortal-ever-took-up/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [The pilot cannot mitigate the billows or calm the winds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/the-pilot-cannot-mitigate-the-billows-or-calm-the-winds/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [“In Springtime, O Dionysos, To thy holy temple come, To Elis with thy Graces, Rushing with thy bull-foot, come, Noble Bull, Noble Bull”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/in-springtime-o-dionysos-to-thy-holy-temple-come-to-elis-with-thy/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) [Explore all 451 Plutarch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) ## More Belief quotes > [“Cine a ucis stelele? 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