Regum et imperatorum apophthegmata
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Original / primary: Perseus Eng3
53.1
53.1
Lycurgus, the Spartan, introduced the custom among his citizens of wearing their hair long, saying that it made the beautiful more comely and the ugly more frightful.
53.1
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53.2
53.2
To the man who urged him to create a democracy in the State his answer was,
53.2
Do you first create a democracy in your own house.
53.2
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53.3
53.3
He ordered that the people build their houses with saw and axe only; for he knew that men are ashamed to bring into simple houses costly vessels, rugs, and tables.
53.3
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53.4
53.4
He prohibited boxing and prize-fighting so that the people might not even in sport get the habit of crying off.
53.4
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53.5
53.5
He prohibited making war upon the same people many times, so that they should not make their opponents too belligerent. And it is a fact that years later, when Agesilaus was wounded, Antalcidas said of him that he was getting a beautiful return from the Thebans for the lessons he had taught them in habituating and teaching them to make war against their will.
53.5
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