I, for my own part, had much rather people should say of me that there neither is nor ever was such a man as Plutarch, than that they should say, "Plutarch is an unsteady, fickle, froward, vindictive, and touchy fellow."

Of Superstition.

[[731]]

Scilurus on his death-bed, being about to leave fourscore sons surviving, offered a bundle of darts to each of them, and bade them break them. When all refused, drawing out one by one, he easily broke them,—thus teaching them that if they held together, they would continue strong; but if they fell out and were divided, they would become weak.

Apophthegms of Kings and Great Commanders.[731:1] Scilurus.

Dionysius the Elder, being asked whether he was at leisure, he replied, "God forbid that it should ever befall me!"

Apophthegms of Kings and Great Commanders. Dionysius.

A prating barber asked Archelaus how he would be trimmed. He answered, "In silence."

Apophthegms of Kings and Great Commanders. Archelaus.

When Philip had news brought him of divers and eminent successes in one day, "O Fortune!" said he, "for all these so great kindnesses do me some small mischief."