Selecta ex Aeliano

XII. (Book 2, 19.)

Alexander, when he had conquered Darius and seized the empire of the Persians, feeling great pride in himself and being deified by the good fortune that surrounded him at that time, sent word to the Greeks to vote that he be declared a God. How ridiculous! For he did not gain by asking men for things that he did not possess by Nature. Others voted for various things, but the Lacedaemonians voted thus: "Since Alexander wishes to be a God, let him be a God." In this way, the Lacedaemonians, with their characteristic Spartan manner, exposed the insanity of Alexander.

XIII. (Book 2, 27.)

Anniceris of Cyrene was very proud of his horsemanship and chariot driving. One day, he wished to show off his skill to Plato. Having yoked the chariot, he drove around the Academy for many laps, keeping the line of the course so precisely that he did not swerve from the wheel-tracks, but always stayed within them. Everyone else, as was to be expected, was amazed. But Plato criticized his excessive zeal, saying: "It is impossible for someone who invests such great care into things so small and worthless to be diligent about anything great." For he argued that because his entire mind was fixated on those things, he was necessarily negligent of those things that are truly worthy of admiration.