--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Alcibiades had a very handsome dog, that…" description: "\"Alcibiades had a very handsome dog, that cost him seven thousand drachmas; and he cut off his tail, \"that,\" said he, \"the Athenians may have this story..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ac/plutarch-597_athenians_alcibiades-had-a-very-handsome-dog-that_2251388.jpg" --- # Alcibiades had a very handsome dog, that cost him seven… ![“Alcibiades had a very handsome dog, that cost him seven thousand drachmas; and he cut off his tail, "that," said he, "the Athenians may have this story to tell of me, and may concern themselves no further with me.” quote by Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ac/plutarch-597_athenians_alcibiades-had-a-very-handsome-dog-that_2251388.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ac/plutarch-597_athenians_alcibiades-had-a-very-handsome-dog-that_2251388.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ac/plutarch-597_athenians_alcibiades-had-a-very-handsome-dog-that_2251388.jpg) > “Alcibiades had a very handsome dog, that cost him seven thousand drachmas; and he cut off his tail, "that," said he, "the Athenians may have this story to tell of me, and may concern themselves no further with me.” [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. Plutarch recounts Alcibiades' costly dog and tail‑cutting to control his reputation. **In simple terms:** He sacrificed a pet to shape his public image. Key Takeaway Consider the lengths people go to manage perception. Themes reputation ego materialism self‑control Mood cautious critical Type historical analytical When to use this quote - political careers - personal branding - media scandals Key Concepts historical anecdote psychology social image Questions to Reflect On - What does this story reveal about vanity? - Is reputation worth material sacrifice? A Different Perspective Such actions can be seen as wasteful or absurd. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Athenians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athenians/) [Dog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dog/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) ## Related quotes > [Being summoned by the Athenians out of Sicily to plead for his life, Alcibiades absconded, saying that that criminal was a fool who studied…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/being-summoned-by-the-athenians-out-of-sicily-to-plead-for-his-life/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Themosticles said The Athenians govern the Greeks; I govern the Athenians; you, my wife, govern me; your son governs you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/themosticles-said-the-athenians-govern-the-greeks-i-govern-the/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [ “It was about that time \[415 BCE\] that the poet Diagoras of Melos was proscribed for atheism, he having declared that the non-punishment of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-robertson/it-was-about-that-time-415-bce-that-the-poet-diagoras-of-melos-was/) J. 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