69.55
Some say that the same thing happened at Athens also. It was at the time of the Panathenaic festival, and the people of Attica were teasing an old man in an unseemly manner, calling him to them as if they were intending to make room for him, and not making room if he came to them. When he had passed through almost all the spectators and came opposite the delegates of the Spartans, they all arose from where they were sitting and gave him place. The crowd, delighted, applauded the action with great approval, and one of the Spartans said, Egad, the Athenians know what is right and fair, but do not do it. Cf. Cicero, De senectute, 18 (63-64); Valerius Maximus, iv. 5, ext. 2.
69.56
A beggar asked alms of a Spartan, who said, If I should give to you, you will be the more a beggar; and for this unseemly conduct of yours he who first gave to you is responsible, for he thus made you lazy.
69.57
A Spartan, seeing a man taking up a collection for the gods, said that he did not think much of gods who were poorer than himself.
69.58
A man who caught another in adultery with an ugly woman said, Puir soul! what was yer muckle need? In Moralia, 525 D, the same saying is attributed to a man of Byzantium.
69.59
Another, listening to an orator rolling off long sentences, said, Egad, but the man has courage; he twists his tongue well about no subject at all.
69.60
One man who came to Sparta, and observed the honour which the young render to the old, said, Only in Sparta does it pay to grow old. A similar sentiment is attributed to Lysander by Cicero, De senectute, 18 (63).
69.61
A Spartan, being asked what kind of a man Tyrtaeus the poet was, said, A good man to sharpen the spirit of youth.
69.62
Another who had sore trouble with his eyes was going forth to war; and when some said to him, Where are you going in that state, or what do you purpose to do? he said, Even if I accomplish nothing else, I may at least blunt an enemy’s sword.
