To break a treaty is contempt for the gods. But to outwit an enemy is not only just and glorious-but profitable and sweet.

ἐπιδεικνύμενος τοῖς φίλοις ὅτι τὸ μὲν σπεισάμενον ἀδικεῖν τῶν θεῶν ἔστι καταφρονεῖν, ἐν δὲ τῷ παραλογίζεσθαι τοὺς πολεμίους οὐ μόνον τὸ δίκαιον, ἀλλὰ καὶ δόξα πολλὴ καὶ τὸ μεθ᾽ ἡδονῆς κερδαίνειν ἔνεστι.

Plutarch's Lives

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Original Citation

Plutarch. "Agesilaus." Βίοι Παράλληλοι [Parallel Lives]. c. 2nd century.

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Current Citation

Plutarch. "Agesilaus." Roman Lives: A Selection of Eight Roman Lives, translated by Robin Waterfield. Oxford University Press, 2009.

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Illustrated Quote

A quote by Plutarch about treaties: “To break a treaty is contempt for the gods. But to outwit an enemy is not only just…”

A quote by Plutarch about treaties: “To break a treaty is contempt for the gods. But to outwit an enemy is not only just…”

A quote by Plutarch about treaties: “To break a treaty is contempt for the gods. But to outwit an enemy is not only just…”