SOLON (B.C. 638-558)-(Diogenes Laertius, Lives: Solon, § 60). Φίλων παρόντων καὶ ἀπόντων μεμνῆσθαι. (Bear in mind your friends, whether present or absent). THALES (B.C. 636-546)-(Diogenes Laertius, Lives: Thales § 37). Φοβερώτερόν ἐστιν ἐλάφων στρατόπε δον ἡγουμένου λέοντος ἢ λεόντων ἐλάφου. (An army of stags led by a lion is more to be feared than an army of lions led by a stag). CHABRIAS (d. 358 B.C.)-(Plutarch, Apophthegmata: Chabrias, 3). Also attributed by Stobaeus (Florilegium, LIV, 61) to PHILIP OF MACEDON (383-336 B.C.) χαλεπὸν ἐλεεῖν ἅμα καὶ φρονεῖν. (.. it is hard to have pity and be wise). AGESILAUS (438-361 B.C.)—when leaving a sick friend behind in spite of his entreaties, the camp being suddenly broken up (Plutarch, Lives: Agesilaus, xiii). Χαλεπὸν ἐσθλὸν ἔμμεναι. difficult to be good). (It is PITTACUS (B.C. 652-569)— Diogenes Laertius, Lives: Pittacus, $ 76). Χαλεπὸν μὲν ἐστιν, ὦ πολῖται, πρὸς γαστέρα λέγειν ὦτα οὐκ ἔχουσαν. (It is a difficult task, fellowcitizens, to make the stomach hear reason, seeing that it has no ears). CATO MAJOR (234-149 B.C).— beginning of a discourse to the Roman people, dissuading them from an unreasonable clamour for largesses and distributions of corn, (Plutarch, Lives: Cato Major, 8). .. χρῶ δεξάμενος ἣν ὁ θεὸς δίδωσιν THEOCRITUS, the prophet (c. 290-c. 210 B.C.) to Pelopidas, alluding to a filly escaped from some horses at pasture, and which was used as a sacrifice (Plutarch, Lives: Pelopidas, 22). See Ou TOL ἀπόβλητ ̓ ἐστὶ θεῶν ἐρικυδέα δῶρα. *Ω 'Αθηναῖοι, ἆρα γε πιστεύσετε ἂν ἡλίκους ὑπομένω κινδύνους ἕνεκα τῆς παρ' ὑμῖν εὐδοξίας; (Do you believe, Athenians, how great are the dangers I face to win a good name at Athens ?) ALEXANDER THE GREAT (356323 B.C.)—after crossing the Hydaspes, the passage of which was disputed by Porus. (Plutarch, Lives: Alexander, lx). Carlyle (in his essay on Voltaire), alluding to Voltaire, says, "At all "hours of his history, he might "have said with Alexander: 'O "Athenians, what toil do I undergo "to please you!' and the last 66 pleasure his Athenians demand of "him is, that he would die for "them." (Critical and Miscellaneous Essays 1888 ed., vol. 2, p. 155). Ω γύναι, Αθηναῖοι μὲν ἄρχουσι τῶν Ἑλλήνων, ἐγὼ δὲ ̓Αθηναίων, ἐμοῦ δὲ σὺ σοῦ δὲ ὁ υἱὸς, ὥστε φειδέσθω τῆς ἐξουσίας, δι ̓ ἦν, ἀνόητος ὢν πλεῖστον Ελλήνων δύναται. (Woman, the Athenians govern the Greeks, I govern the Athenians, you govern me, and your son governs you: so let him not abuse his power, which, simple as he is, enables him to do more than all the Greeks put together). THEMISTOCLES (c. 533-c. 465 B.C.)-to his wife, in reference to his son, who used to take advantage of his mother's weakness. (Plutarch, Lives: Cato Major,8). A saying of Cato Major's, (234-149 B.C.) when discoursing of the power of women was πάντες ἄνθρωποι τῶν γυναικῶν ἄρχουσιν, ἡμεῖς δὲ πάντων ἀνθρώπων, ἡμῶν δὲ αἱ γυναῖκες (all men rule their wives; we rule all men; and we are ruled by our wives) ibid., 8. Cf.: Ω μακάριε Ξενόκρατης, θῦε ταῖς Xápiov. (Happy Xenocrates, sacrifice to the Graces!) PLATO (B.C. 428-347)—constantly said to Xenocrates, who was always very solemn and grave (Diogenes Laertius, Lives: Xenocrates, §7; also Plutarch, Lives: Marius, ii). Cf. Sacrifice to the Graces (Lord Chesterfield, Letters: 9th March 1748). "Nay, then, we must sacrifice to the Muses ourselves," said Elizabeth-Sir W. Scott, Kenilworth, ch. xvii. Ω μήτερ, τήμερον ἢ ἀρχιερέα τὸν υἱὸν * φυγάδα ὄψει. (Mother, you shall to-day see your son either Pontifex Maximus or an exile). JULIUS CAESAR (100-44 B. C.)—on the day of his election. (Plutarch, Lives: Caesar, vii). See Aut Caesar, aut nihil. Ω ξένε, οὐκ ἐν δέοντι χρῇ τῷ δέοντι. (You speak, my good sir, of what is much to the purposeelsewhere). KING LEONIDAS (fl. c. 492-480 B.C.)-rebuking one who was discoursing about a matter which was itself opportune though the occasion and place were inopportune (Plutarch, Lives: Lycurgus, xx). Ὦ παῖ, ζήτει σεαυτῷ βασιλείαν ἴσην, Μακεδονία γάρ σε οὐ χωρεῖ. (My son, seek out a kingdom worthy of thyself, for Macedonia will not hold thee). PHILIP OF MACEDON (382-336 B.C.) to Alexander the Great, after the latter had successfully ridden the horse Bucephalus. (Plutarch, Lives: Philip, vi). "Ω παῖδες, πάντα προλήψετα ιὁ πατήρ· ἐμοὶ δὲ οὐδὲν ἀπολείψει μεθ ̓ me to ALEXANDER THE GREAT (356323 B.C.)-as a lad, whenever he heard of his father's victories. (Plutarch, Lives: Alexander v). Ω Περίκλεις, καὶ οἱ τοῦ λύχνου χρείαν ἔχοντες ἔλαιον ἐπιχέουσιν. (Pericles, even those who have occasion for a lamp supply it with oil). ANAXAGORAS (499-427 B.C.)— when Pericles besought him to live. Anaxagoras was in want and had determined to starve himself to death. (Plutarch, Lives: Pericles, xvi). Ω Σόλων, τοῖς βασιλεῦσι δεῖ ὡς ἥκιστα ἢ ὡς ἥδιστα ὁμιλεῖν. or else say what they wish most to hear... Nay, rather, one should say either very little or what it is best for them to hear.) ÆSOP (A. 570 B.C.)-to Solon, when vexed at Croesus' ungracious reception of the latter; with Solon's reply. (Plutarch, Lives: Solon, xxviii). Ὦ τύχη, μικρόν τί μοι κακὸν ἀντὶ τῶν τοσούτων καὶ τηλικούτων ἀγαθῶν ποίησον. (O! fortune, for so many and such great benefits, send me some small evil!) PHILIP OF MACEDON (382-336 B.C.)-on receiving news that a son had been born to him, a great victory gained by his general, Parmenion, and that he had been crowned at the Olympian games. (Plutarch, Apophthegmata: Philip, 3). See πότε ἄρα παυσόμεθα νικῶντες ; Æmilius (c. 229-160 B.C.)—addressing the people after burying his second child, referred to the fickleness of Fortune in similar terms, "knowing that she never bestows any great kindness unalloyed and without exacting retribution for it." THEMISTOCLES (c. 533-c. 465 B.C.)-to his wife, in reference to his son, who used to take advantage of his mother's weakness. (Plutarch, Lives: Cato Major,8). A saying of Cato Major's, (234-149 B.C.) when discoursing of the power of women was πάντες ἄνθρωποι τῶν γυναικῶν ἄρχουσιν, ἡμεῖς δὲ πάντων ἀνθρώπων, ἡμῶν δὲ αἱ γυναῖκες (all men rule their wives; we rule all men; and we are ruled by our wives)-ibid., 8. Cf.: Les Français gouvernent le monde, et les femmes gouvernent les Français. (The French govern the world, and govern the French). women Ω Ηράκλεις, ὡς πολλοὺς ópŵ στρατηγοὺς, ὀλίγους δὲ στρατιώτας. (By Hercules, how many generals I see-and how few soldiers !) PHOCION (C. 400-317 B.C.)— alluding to those who pestered him with advice as to what he should do, Mikion having landed at Rhamnus with a large force of Macedonians and mercenaries. (Plutarch, Lives: Phocion, xxv). Cf. Who can direct when all pretend to know?Goldsmith, The Traveller, 1. 64. Ω ξένε, οὐκ ἐν δέοντι χρῇ τῷ δέοντι. (You speak, my good sir, of what is much to the purposeelsewhere). KING LEONIDAS (fl. c. 492-480 B.C.)-rebuking one who was discoursing about a matter which was itself opportune though the occasion and place were inopportune (Plutarch, Lives: Lycurgus, xx). Ὦ παῖ, ζήτει σεαυτῷ βασιλείαν ἴσην, Μακεδονία γάρ σε οὐ χωρεί. (My son, seek out a kingdom worthy of thyself, for Macedonia will not hold thee). PHILIP OF MACEDON (382-336 B.C.)-to Alexander the Great, after the latter had successfully ridden the horse Bucephalus. (Plutarch, Lives: Philip, vi). Ὦ παῖδες, πάντα προλήψετα ιὁ πατήρ· ἐμοὶ δὲ οὐδὲν ἀπολείψει μεθ' ὑμῶν ἔργον ἀποδείξασθαι μέγα καὶ λαμπρόν. (My father will forestall us, boys, in everything: he will leave no great and glorious exploit for achieve with you). ALEXANDER THE GREAT (356323 B.C.)-as a lad, whenever he heard of his father's victories. (Plutarch, Lives: Alexander v). me to or else say what they wish most to hear... Nay, rather, one should say either very little or what it is best for them to hear.) ESOP (f. 570 B.C.)-to Solon, when vexed at Croesus' ungracious reception of the latter; with Solon's reply. (Plutarch, Lives: Solon, xxviii). Ω τύχη, μικρόν τί μοι κακὸν ἀντὶ τῶν τοσούτων καὶ τηλικούτων ἀγαθῶν ποίησον. (O! fortune, for so many and such great benefits, send me some small evil!) PHILIP OF MACEDON (382-336 B.C.)-on receiving news that a son had been born to him, a great victory gained by his general, Parmenion, and that he had been crowned at the Olympian games. (Plutarch, Apophthegmata: Philip, 3). See πότε ἄρα παυσόμεθα νικῶντες ; Æmilius (c. 229-160 B.C.)-addressing the people after burying his second child, referred to the fickleness of Fortune in similar terms, knowing that she never bestows any great kindness unalloyed and without exacting retribution for it." 66 ὠδίνειν ὄρος, εἶτα μῦν ἀποτεκεῖν (... the mountain was in labour, and lo! it brought forth a mouse). AGESILAUS (438-360 B.C.)(Plutarch, Lives: Agesilaus, xxxvi). Cf. "Quid dignum tanto feret hic promissor hiatu? Parturiunt montes, nascetur ridiculus mus." (What's coming, pray, that thus he winds his horn? The mountain labours, and a mouse is born.-Conington). -HORACE. De Arte Poetica, 138. "The mountain has brought forth a mouse."-English saying. |
