While Leonidas was preparing to make his stand, a Persian envoy arrived. The envoy explained to Leonidas the futility of trying to resist the advance of the Great King's army and demanded that the Greeks lay down their arms and submit to the might of Persia. Leonidas laconically told Xerxes, "Come and get them.

Prosperity has this property, it puffs up narrow Souls, makes them imagine themselves high and mighty, and look down upon the World with Contempt; but a truly noble and resolved Spirit appears greatest in Distress, and then becomes more bright and conspicuous.

Those who aim at great deeds must also suffer greatly.

Where two discourse, if the anger of one rises, he is the wise man who lets the contest fall.

When another is asked a question, take special care not to interrupt to answer it yourself.

Fortune had favoured me in this war that I feared, the rather, that some tempest would follow so favourable a gale.

He who least likes courting favour, ought also least to think of resenting neglect; to feel wounded at being refused a distinction can only arise from an overweening appetite to have it.