Agesilaus II

"Being shown a well-walled city, and asked if it were not a fine thing; “For women,” he answered, “not men, to live in.” Thus Agis II, observing the high and strong walls of Corinth, asked, “What women live there?”"

"Accepting an inferior seat at a public dancing, Agesilaus said, “It is not the places which grace men, but men the places.”"

"Παρακαλούμενος δὲ πάλιν ἀκοῦσαι τοῦ τὴν ἀηδόνα μιμουμένου, παρῃτήσατο φήσας, “Αὐτᾶς ἄκουκα.”"

"Observing that a certain malefactor bore torture with remarkable firmness, he said, “What a great rogue he must be, whose courage and constancy are bestowed on crime alone!”"

"When asked what boys should learn, he replied, “That which they will use when men.”"

"When asked why they wore their hair long, he replied, “Because of all personal ornaments it costs the least.”"

"Having kept at a distance the enemies of Sparta, he could say, “No Spartan woman has ever seen the smoke of the enemy’s camp.”"

"He showed the citizens in arms to one who asked why Sparta had no walls, with the words, “These are the walls of Sparta.” He used to say that “cities should be walled with the courage of the inhabitants.”"

"When asked where the boundaries of Sparta were, he replied, “On the points of our spears.”"

"When asked what good the laws of Lycurgus had brought to Sparta, he replied, “Contempt of pleasure;” and in answer to the question how he acquired his great reputation for bravery, “By contemning death.” Agis II made the same answer when asked how a man could be always free."

"When a well-contrived but difficult plan to free Greece was proposed to Agis II, he replied, “Friend, thy words need an army and a treasure.”"

"Youth, thy words need an army."