Regum et imperatorum apophthegmata

Plutarch

Plutarch. Moralia, Vol. III. Babbitt, Frank Cole, translator. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1931 (printing).

When he was about to pitch his camp in an excellent place, he learned that there was no grass for the pack-animals. What a life is ours, he said, if we must live to suit the convenience of the asses ! [*](Cf. Moralia, 790 B; also Eunapius, Frag. 56 in Dindorf, Historici Graeci Minores, i. p. 249.)

When he was desirous of capturing a certain stronghold, his scouts reported that it was altogether difficult and quite impregnable, whereupon he asked

if it were so difficult that not even an ass laden with money could approach it. [*](Cf. Cicero, Letters to Atticus, i. 16. 12; Diodorus, xvi. 54.)