Plutarch - Asked Quotes

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Diogenes the Cynic, when a little before his death he fell into a slumber, and his physician rousing him out of it asked him whether anything ailed him, wisely answered, "Nothing, sir; only one brother anticipates another,—Sleep before Death."

Plutarch
Lampis, the sea commander, being asked how he got his wealth, answered, "My greatest estate I gained easily enough, but the smaller slowly and with much labour."

Plutarch
A prating barber asked Archelaus how he would be trimmed. He answered, "In silence."

Plutarch
When one asked him what boys should learn, "That," said he, "which they shall use when men."

Plutarch
When Alexander asked Diogenes whether he wanted anything, "Yes," said he, "I would have you stand from between me and the sun."

Plutarch
When Demaratus was asked whether he held his tongue because he was a fool or for want of words, he replied, "A fool cannot hold his tongue."

Plutarch
A Roman divorced from his wife, being highly blamed by his friends, who demanded, "Was she not chaste? Was she not fair? Was she not fruitful?" holding out his shoe, asked them whether it was not new and well made. "Yet," added he, "none of you can tell where it pinches me."

Plutarch
Themistocles being asked whether he would rather be Achilles or Homer, said, "Which would you rather be,—a conqueror in the Olympic games, or the crier that proclaims who are conquerors?"

Plutarch
Pythagoras, when he was asked what time was, answered that it was the soul of this world.

Plutarch
Dionysius the Elder, being asked whether he was at leisure, he replied, "God forbid that it should ever befall me!"

Plutarch
When Demosthenes was asked what was the first part of oratory, he answered, "Action;" and which was the second, he replied, "Action;" and which was the third, he still answered, "Action."

Plutarch
When asked why he parted with his wife, Caesar replied, "I wished my wife to be not so much as suspected."

Plutarch