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Quote by Plutarch

“Scilurus on his death-bed, being about to leave four-score sons surviving, offered a bundle of darts to each of them, and bade them break them. When all refused, drawing out one by one, he easily broke them, thus teaching them that if they held together, they would continue strong; but if they fell out and were divided, they would become weak.”

Quote by Plutarch

Book:Plutarch's Morals

Work

Plutarch's Morals

Comprising a series of treatises, this work explores various aspects of ethics, character, and virtue through historical anecdotes and comparisons of famous figures from Greek and Roman history. more

Author

Plutarch, a renowned Greek historian and biographer, was born in 45 AD and died in 120 AD. His works are characterized by rigorous historical research and profound moral contemplation, having a profound impact on later generations. more

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“Dionysius the Elder, being asked whether he was at leisure, he replied, "God forbid that it should ever befall me!"”

Should Leisure Elders

Author:Plutarch

“When Darius offered him ten thousand talents, and to divide Asia equally with him, "I would accept it," said Parmenio, "were I Alexander." "And so truly would I," said Alexander, "if I were Parmenio." But he answered Darius that the earth could not bear two suns, nor Asia two kings.”

Ifs Said Two Earth Accepting Sun Talent Bears Kings Thousand Ten Divides Asia Darius

Book:Essays

Source: Essays

“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.”

Mean Said Ends Son Birth Ancient Nobility

Book:Delphi Complete Works of Plutarch (Illustrated)

Source: Delphi Complete Works of Plutarch (Illustrated)

“Once when Phocion had delivered an opinion which pleased the people, he turned to his friend and said, "Have I not unawares spoken some mischievous thing or other?"”

People Said Opinion Mischievous

Author:Plutarch

“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.”

Children Speak Rooms Horse Reeds

Book:Plutarch's Morals

Source: Plutarch's Morals

“Knowledge of divine things for the most part, as Heraclitus says, is lost to us by incredulity.”

Lost Divine Incredulity

Book:Plutarch's Lives

Source: Plutarch's Lives

“The saying of old Antigonus, who when he was to fight at Andros, and one told him, "The enemy's ships are more than ours," replied, "For how many then wilt thou reckon me?”

Fighting Enemy Ships

Book:Lives of the noble Grecians and Romans: Top Biography

Source: Lives of the noble Grecians and Romans: Top Biography

“Agesilaus being invited once to hear a man who admirably imitated the nightingale, he declined, saying he had heard the nightingale itself.”

Men Heard Invited Nightingales

Book:The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans, Volume II: (A Modern Library E-Book)

Source: The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans, Volume II: (A Modern Library E-Book)

“Even a nod from a person who is esteemed is of more force than a thousand arguments or studied sentences from others.”

Persons Force Thousand Argument Sentences

Book:Plutarch's Lives

Source: Plutarch's Lives

“Demosthenes told Phocion, "The Athenians will kill you some day when they once are in a rage." "And you," said he, "if they are once in their senses."”

Ifs Said Rage Senses Athenians

Author:Plutarch