Apophthegmata Laconica

Plutarch

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

Namertes was sent as an ambassador, and when one of the people in that country congratulated him because he had many friends, he asked if this man had any sure means of testing the man of many friends; and when the other desired to learn, Namertes said, By means of misfortune. [*](Cf. John Heywood, Proverbs, part. i. chap. 11: But indeede a friend is never known till a man have neede. )

Nicander, when someone said that the Argives were speaking ill of him, said, Well then, they are paying the penalty for speaking ill of the good! [*](He was invading Argolis and laying waste the country; see Pausanias, iii. 7. 4.)