The secret to happiness is freedom. The secret to freedom is courage.

No wish to live without my city?

Self restraint

Excellence is a habit not an act — what we are what we repeatedly do.

Admit it

Not how many,,, but where they are?

Fearlessness in battle

”if”—

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Spartan sayings, often referred to as laconic phrases, are known for their brevity, wit, and sharpness. Spartans were taught from a young age to express themselves concisely and with clarity, reflecting their disciplined and practical way of life. Many of these sayings have survived through ancient historians like Herodotus, Plutarch, and others. Here are some of the best-known ancient Spartan sayings:

War and Duty

1. “With it or on it.”

A Spartan mother’s advice to her son, referring to his shield. This meant he should return victorious carrying his shield (with it) or dead, being carried upon it (on it), but never to return having discarded it in retreat.

2. “Come back with your shield or on it.”

Similar to the above, another way Spartan women emphasized their disdain for cowardice and their expectation of valor.

3. “If.”

When Philip II of Macedon sent a message to Sparta saying, “If I invade Laconia, I will raze it to the ground,” the Spartans replied simply, “If.” Their laconic wit underscored their confidence and refusal to be intimidated.

4. “Molon labe” (“Come and take them”).

King Leonidas’s defiant response to Persian King Xerxes, who demanded the Spartans lay down their weapons at Thermopylae.

5. “Then we shall fight in the shade.”

Dienekes, a Spartan warrior, famously said this when told that the Persian arrows would blot out the sun. This demonstrated the Spartans’ indifference to danger and death.

6. “Walls of Sparta are her young men, and her borders the points of their spears.”

A Spartan king’s response when asked why Sparta had no walls, signifying their reliance on warriors rather than fortifications.

Spartan Society and Values

7. “Spartans do not ask how many, but where they are.”

A common Spartan saying that reflected their fearless approach to battle.

8. “It will be worse for you.”

Spartan youths were trained to endure hardships silently. When a boy was caught stealing a fox and the fox began to bite him, he reportedly said, “It will be worse for you,” as he continued to conceal it rather than admit his theft.

9. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

Although often attributed to Spartan philosophy, this is actually an Aristotelian idea, but it resonates with the disciplined Spartan way of life.

Leadership and Governance

10. “Do not make your city walls out of bricks, but out of men.”

A Spartan saying emphasizing the strength of its people over physical fortifications.

11. “A king serves as the perfect example of self-restraint.”

Reflecting the expectation of Spartan leaders to embody discipline and humility.

12. “He who sweats more in training bleeds less in war.”

A Spartan principle that emphasized preparation and discipline over complacency.

On Life and Death

13. “The Spartans are willing to die for their city because they have no wish to live without it.”

This sentiment captures the Spartan commitment to their state and their sense of collective identity.

14. “Beauty is only skin deep; courage lies in the heart.”

A statement that reflected Spartan values of inner strength and character over superficial appearances.

15. “The secret to happiness is freedom. And the secret to freedom is courage.”

This reflects the Spartan ethos that liberty is won through bravery and sacrifice.

Practical Wisdom

16. “Eat to live, don’t live to eat.”

A common saying among Spartans, who valued frugality and discipline.

17. “A Spartan’s sword is short so that he can get close to his enemy.”

Highlighting their practical, no-frills approach to warfare and life in general.

18. “He who runs from battle lives to see his shame.”

A condemnation of cowardice, which was one of the greatest dishonors in Spartan society.

On Spartan Women

19. “Why are you Spartan women the only ones who can rule men?”

Spartan women reportedly answered, “Because we are the only ones who give birth to men.” This reflects their significant role in Spartan society.

20. “You should either conquer or die.”

Another famous saying attributed to Spartan mothers, urging their sons to uphold the Spartan way of life without compromise.

These sayings encapsulate the Spartan ethos: discipline, bravery, duty, and devotion to their city-state. They are enduring testaments to the unique culture of Sparta and its people.

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Spartans were renowned not only for their military prowess but also for their characteristically brief, pithy manner of speaking—a style known as “laconic.” Their short, pointed remarks often carried profound meaning and reflected their cultural values: honor, duty, courage, and discipline. Many of these sayings come down to us through ancient historians like Herodotus, Plutarch, and Pausanias, though precise attribution is sometimes unclear. Still, a handful of well-known Spartan sayings stand out as particularly emblematic.

1. “Μολὼν λαβέ” (Molon labe) – “Come and take them.”

Attributed to King Leonidas at Thermopylae, this defiant response came when the Persian King Xerxes demanded the Spartans surrender their weapons. It perfectly encapsulates the Spartan spirit of unyielding resistance.

2. “ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς” (Ei tan ei epi tas) – “Either [return] with [your shield] or on it.”

Spartan mothers are said to have told this to their sons departing for battle. The meaning was clear: return victorious (with your shield) or dead with honor (carried upon it). Fleeing battle would mean discarding your shield to run faster—an act of shame in Sparta.

3. “We shall fight in the shade.”

When told that Persian arrows would be so numerous as to blot out the sun, a Spartan warrior (traditionally identified as the soldier Dienekes, not Leonidas) supposedly quipped this line. It humorously transforms a dire threat into a stoic acceptance of fate, making it a celebrated example of laconic wit.

4. “Spartans do not ask how many the enemy are, but where they are.”

Though we lack a precise ancient attribution, this sentiment is frequently referenced in discussions of Spartan ethos. It conveys the idea that Spartans did not fear the odds—only the opportunity to meet the enemy in battle mattered.

5. “The walls of Sparta are its young men, and its borders the points of their spears.”

This is a paraphrase of a notion credited to the Spartan king Agesilaus and others. When asked why Sparta had no fortification walls, Spartans would sometimes gesture to their disciplined warriors, suggesting that their courage and fighting skill were more impregnable than any fortress.

6. Gorgo’s Retort:

Gorgo, the wife of Leonidas, was known for her wit. When asked by a foreign woman, “Why are you Spartan women the only ones who can rule men?” Gorgo reportedly answered: “Because we are the only women who give birth to men.” This comment highlights the Spartan esteem for women’s role in cultivating courage and excellence.

Key Themes in Spartan Sayings:

• Brevity and Directness: Spartan sayings were famously short. Their culture valued fewer words with greater impact.

• Honor and Duty: Many sayings revolve around the idea that honor in battle and loyalty to Sparta outweigh personal survival.

• Fearlessness in Battle: Spartan wit often turns dire threats into manageable facts, illustrating their courage and stoicism.

• Cultural Pride: Their self-confidence and lack of need for flattery or explanation is evident; their strength is their hallmark.

While the exact historical veracity of some of these statements can be difficult to confirm, they have come to represent the quintessential Spartan character—fearless, principled, and starkly pragmatic.

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Brevity, directness. Honor and duty, fearlessness in battle, cultural pride.