Xenophon

Xenophon

01-Sep-0430

Greece

Philosopher

Xenophon was a Greek historian, philosopher, mercenary, and a disciple of Socrates. He is known for recording historical data during 5th and 4th century BC. He documented historical facts of his era. Xenophon’s most popular work has to be Hellenica which covered the continuation of the history of Peloponnecian war. His other works include Anabasis, Cyropaedia and Agesilaus. His work in Anabasis describes the proximity of Xenophon and Socrates. Even though he was born in Athens, he was closely associated with the arch rival city-state of Sparta. Along with his prolific work as a historian, Xenophon had major interest in politics. Even though there is no clear evidence about his opposition to democracy, he preferred aristocracy over it. His work ‘Cyropaedia’ clearly supports pro-oligarchic polity. This documentation also expresses his high regards for the first Persian emperor Cyrus the Great. He believed that it was the virtue and leadership qualities of the man which held the vast Persian Empire together. This was the main reason why he was accused of treason and subjected to exile by the Athenians. We have collected his quotes and thoughts from his books, and observations about politics, society etc. Let us go through these quotes from the great Greek historian.

QUOTES BY Xenophon

Anything forced is not beautiful

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Xenophon

No human being will ever know the truth, for even if they happened to say it by chance, they would not know they had done so.

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Xenophon

To quote a dictum of Simon, what a horse does under compulsion he does blindly, and his performance is no more beautiful than would be that of a ballet-dancer taught by whip and goad.

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Xenophon

If you consider what are called the virtues in mankind, you will find their growth is assisted by education and cultivation.

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Xenophon

Moderation in all things healthful; total abstinence from all things harmful.

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Xenophon

What am I lying here for?...We are lying here as though we had a chance of enjoying a quiet time...Am I waiting until I become a little older?

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Xenophon

For drink, there was beer which was very strong when not mingled with water, but was agreeable to those who were used to it. They drank this with a reed, out of the vessel that held the beer, upon which they saw the barley swim.

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Xenophon

There is a deep—and usually frustrated—desire in the heart of everyone to act with benevolence rather than selfishness, and one fine instance of generosity can inspire dozens more.

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Xenophon

Battles are decided more by the morale of the troops than by their bodily strength.

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Xenophon

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