They're close? Then so are we.
Leonidas, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Leonidas 7 (225b)
from$44
Spartan quotes
Laconic sayings from Plutarch and Herodotus, with the Greek behind each one. Short because the Spartans were short.
- They're close? Then so are we.Leonidas
- Nothing is too small to survive if it dares to fight back.Brasidas
- Spartans don't ask how many. Only where.Agis
- Sword too short? Take one step closer.Spartan mother
- Men of few words need few laws.Charillus
- Not picked for the 300? Good. Sparta has 300 better than me.Pedaritus
- With it or on it.Spartan mother
- If.The Spartans
- Blot out the sun? Good. We'll fight in the shade.Dienekes
- Add to your strength or cut your pride.Archidamus
- Where are the Spartans? Not here, or you wouldn't be.The Spartans
- Time grows modest honors and erases inflated ones.Theopompus
Wear them
Nothing is too small to survive if it dares to fight back.
Brasidas, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Brasidas 1 (219c)
from$44
Spartans don't ask how many. Only where.
Agis, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Agis 3 (215d)
from$44
Sword too short? Take one step closer.
Spartan mother, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartan Women, Anonymous 18 (241f)
from$44
Men of few words need few laws.
Charillus, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Charillus 1 (232b)
from$44
Not picked for the 300? Good. Sparta has 300 better than me.
Pedaritus, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Pedaritus 3 (231b)
from$44
With it or on it.
Spartan mother, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartan Women 241f
from$44
If.
The Spartans, Plutarch, On Talkativeness 511a
from$42
All 71
71 lines
Men of few words need few laws.
Charillus, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Charillus 1 (232b)
The Spartans, Plutarch, On Talkativeness 511a
They're close? Then so are we.
Leonidas, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Leonidas 7 (225b)
Spartans don't ask how many. Only where.
Agis, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Agis 3 (215d)
Blot out the sun? Good. We'll fight in the shade.
Dienekes, Herodotus, Histories 7.226
Nothing is too small to survive if it dares to fight back.
Brasidas, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Brasidas 1 (219c)
Η ΤΑΝ Η ΕΠΙ ΤΑΣ
Spartan mother, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartan Women 241f
ΚΑΙ ΒΗΜΑ ΠΡΟΣΘΕΣ
Sword too short? Take one step closer.
Spartan mother, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartan Women, Anonymous 18 (241f)
Not picked for the 300? Good. Sparta has 300 better than me.
Pedaritus, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Pedaritus 3 (231b)
Lucky you missed the bandits? Lucky they missed us.
The Spartans, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Anonymous 36 (234b)
Still searching for virtue? When will he use it?
Eudamidas, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Eudamidas 1 (220d)
Learn to lead. Learn to follow.
Agesilaus, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Agesilaus 51 (212c)
Lycurgus, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Lycurgus 23 (228d)
Is the road safe? Lions walk where they please.
The Spartans, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Anonymous 43 (234d)
If I do nothing else, I'll blunt an enemy blade.
The Spartans, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Anonymous 62 (235f)
Came alone? I came to one man.
Agis, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Agis 16 (216a)
Armor protects you. The shield protects the line.
Demaratus, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Demaratus 2 (220a)
Want democracy? Start with your own house.
Lycurgus, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Lycurgus 21 (228c)
Where are the Spartans? Not here, or you wouldn't be.
The Spartans, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Anonymous 23 (233c)
ΚΑΛΟΝ ΗΣΥΧΙΑ
Archidamus, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Archidamus son of Agesilaus 6 (219a)
The Spartans, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Anonymous 15 (233a)
The place doesn't make the man. The man makes the place.
Agesilaus, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Agesilaus 6 (208d)
Be quicker to a friend's bad day than his good one.
Chilon, Diogenes Laertius 1.70
Good people don't howl. They heal.
Gyrtias, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartan Women, Gyrtias 1 (240e)
Questions
- Where do these spartan quotes come from?
- Each of the 71 lines links to its own page with the book and passage it comes from, the original-language wording and how it was translated. Nothing is attributed without a source.
- Can I get these quotes on a shirt?
- Yes. 8 of them are printed on our tees and caps, with the Spartan Surfers helmet and our coordinates on every piece. 2 pieces 10% off, 3 pieces 15%, 4 or more 20%. Free US shipping on everything.