It’s a Spartan Life
Posted on April 24, 2007 | Filed Under Quotes
This is a collection of quotes attributed to the Spartan culture of ancient Greece. My personal favorite is the one by King Agesilaus about Lycurgus – who was the attributed father of Sparta. I think many “Americans” should take this to heart.
Herodotus reports that just before the Battle of Thermoplyae, a Spartan warrior named Dienekes was told that the Persian archers could blank out the sun with their arrows. He replied “Good, then we shall have our battle in the shade.”
A Sybarite, who ate at a public mess, once remarked: “Now I know why the Spartans do not fear death.”
Asked what was the greatest benefit Lycurgus conferred on his countryman, King Agesilaus replied “Contempt of pleasure.”
“Come back with your shield – or on it” (Plutarch, Mor.241) was supposed to be the parting cry of mothers to their sons. Mothers whose sons died in battle openly rejoiced, mothers whose sons survived hung their heads in shame.
Asked why it was dishonorable to return without a shield and not without a helmet, the Spartan king, Demaratos (510 – 491) is said to have replied: “Because the latter they put on for their own protection, but the shield for the common good of all.” (Plutarch, Mor.220)
An old man wandering around the Olympic Games looking for a seat was jeered at by the crowd until he reached the seats of the Spartans, whereupon every Spartan younger than him, and some that were older, stood up and offered him their seat. The crowd applauded and the old man turned to them with a sigh, saying “All Greeks know what is right, but only the Spartans do it.”
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Lay it Down
Posted on April 22, 2007 | Filed Under Depth Charges, Musings
Now, I am not a fan of country music. Most of my friends will tell you that. About as close as I come to liking country music is CDB, Marshall Tucker, Lynard Skynard and Molly Hatchett. I do own a Wreckers album (sue me) and I do like bluegrass but most country music just leaves me “meh.”
However, except for the part about kids, I must say, I think Jeff Foxworthy nails the country mentality perfectly. And I gotta give them all kudos for it. Respect. A tip of the hat. What you will.
Now it won’t make me like country music more, but that’s not what this is about. It’s about good, real folk.
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Our Greatest Weakness…
Posted on April 20, 2007 | Filed Under Quotes
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is to always try just one more time.
- Thomas Edison
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