Regum et imperatorum apophthegmata

Plutarch

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

Aristogeiton, the informer, was about to be put to death in prison, sentence having been passed upon him, and he wanted Phocion to come to him; but Phocion’s friends were averse to his going to see such a wicked man. And where, said he, could anyone converse with Aristogeiton with greater pleasure ? [*](Cf. Plutarch’s Life of Phocion, chap. x. (746 E).)

The Athenians were enraged at the people of Byzantium because they had not received Chares in their city when he had been sent with a force to help them against Philip. But when Phocion said that they must not be enraged at those of their allies who distrusted, but at those of their own generals who were distrusted, he was himself chosen general; and he, being trusted by the people of Byzantium, made Philip withdraw without accomplishing his purpose. [*](Ibid. chap. xiv. (748 A); the date was 339 B.C.)

When Alexander the king sent him twenty thousand pounds as a present, he asked those who brought the money why it was that, when there were so many Athenians, Alexander offered this to him only. They replied that their king considered him only to be upright and honourable. Then, said he, let him suffer me both to seem and to be such. [*](Ibid. chap. xviii. (749 E); cf. also Aelian, Varia Historia, xi. 9.)

When Alexander made a demand for triremes, and the people called for Phocion by name to come forward and advise them, he arose and said, Well then, I advise you either to be conquerors yourselves by force of arms, or else to be the friends of the conquerors. [*](Cf. Plutarch’s Life of Phocion, chap. xxi. (751 A).)

When word suddenly came, quite unauthenticated, of the death of Alexander, and the orators

immediately leaped to the platform, already urgent that there be no delay, but war at once, Phocion insisted that they wait a while, and learn the facts. For, said he, if Alexander is dead to-day, he will be dead to-morrow also, and the day after. [*](Cf. Plutarch’s Life of Phocion, chap. xxii. (751 E), also Moralia, 451 F.)

When Leosthenes plunged the State into war, elated as it was by brilliant hopes to aspire to the distinction of freedom and leadership, Phocion likened his words to the cypress - trees. For, said he, they are beautiful and tall, but they bear no fruit. However, the first attempts were successful, and, when the State was offering sacrifices to celebrate the good tidings, Phocion was asked whether he wished that these deeds had been done by himself. Yes, said he, these deeds done, but that advice given. [*](Cf. Plutarch’s Life of Phocion, chap. xxiii. (752 A B); Valerius Maximus, iii. 8, ext. 2.)