XXVII. Lysander being asked by a person, what was the best frame of government; "That," says he, "where every man hath according to his deserts." Though one of the greatest captains that Sparta bred, he had learned by his wisdom to bear personal affronts: "Say what thou wilt," says he to one that spoke abusively to him, "empty thyself, I shall bear it." His daughters were contracted in marriage to some persons of quality, but he dying poor, they refused to marry them; upon which the ephori condemned each of them in a great sum of money, because they preferred money before faith and engagement. XXVIII. Pausanias, son of Cleombrotus, and colleague of Lysander, beholding, among the Persian spoils they took, the costliness of their furniture, said, "It had been much better if they had been worth less, and their masters more." And after the victory of Platæa, having a dinner dressed according to the Persian manner, and beholding the magnificence and furniture of the treat; "What," saith he, "do these people mean, that live in such wealth and luxury, to attack our meanness and poverty?" XXIX. Theopompus saith, "The way to preserve a kingdom, is to embrace the counsel of one's friends, and not to suffer the meaner sort to be oppressed." One making the glory of Sparta to consist in commanding well, he answered, "No, it is in knowing how to obey well." He was of opinion, that great honours hurt a state; adding, that time would abolish great, and augment moderate honours among men; meaning, that men should have the reputation they deserve, without flattery and excess. A rhetorician, bragging himself of his art, was reproved by a Lacedæmonian; "Dost thou call that an art," saith he, "which hath not truth for its object?" Also a Lacedæmonian being presented with a harp after dinner, by a musical person, "I do not," saith he, "know how to play the fool." Another being asked, what he thought of a poet of the times, answered, "Good for nothing but to corrupt youth." Nor was this only the wisdom and virtue of some particular persons, which may be thought to have given light to the dark body of their courts; but their government was wise and just, and the people generally obeyed it; making virtue to be true honour, and that honour dearer to them than life.