Lycurgus, Epictetus, Fragment 45
The source
"Fortify people, not walls." Lycurgus said it in Epictetus, Fragment 45. Translated by George Long, 1877.
"as he did not fence his city with walls, but fortified the inhabitants by virtue and preserved the city always free"George Long, 1877, Epictetus, Fragment 45.
Who said it
The Spartans (8th–4th century BC). Laconic sayings from Lycurgus, Leonidas, Dienekes and the mothers of Sparta, recorded by Herodotus and Plutarch.
Questions
- Who said "Fortify people, not walls."?
- Lycurgus (8th–4th century BC). Source: Epictetus, Fragment 45.
- What is the original wording?
- as he did not fence his city with walls, but fortified the inhabitants by virtue and preserved the city always free (George Long, 1877). Translated by George Long, 1877.
Filed under Laconic.
Wear Lycurgus
Blot out the sun? Good. We'll fight in the shade.
Dienekes, Herodotus, Histories 7.226
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With it or on it.
Spartan mother, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartan Women 241f
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Sword too short? Take one step closer.
Spartan mother, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartan Women, Anonymous 18 (241f)
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They're close? Then so are we.
Leonidas, Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Leonidas 7 (225b)
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More from The Spartans
- With it or on it.Plutarch, Sayings of Spartan Women 241f
- Come and take them.Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans 225c
- Blot out the sun? Good. We'll fight in the shade.Herodotus, Histories 7.226
- If.Plutarch, On Talkativeness 511a
- You gave me a violent young man. I give you back a good citizen.Epictetus, Fragment 67
- The place doesn't make the man. The man makes the place.Plutarch, Sayings of Spartans, Agesilaus 6 (208d)