Selecta ex Aeliano

XXVII. (Book 5, 6.)

Epaminondas had one cloak, and it was dirty. If he ever gave it to a fuller, he remained at home due to the lack of another. While he was in such straitened circumstances, the King of the Persians sent him much gold, but he did not accept it. If I understand the matter correctly, he who did not take it was more noble-minded than he who gave it.

XXVIII. (Book 6, 4.)

Lysander had died, but the man who had betrothed his daughter while he was still alive, once the girl was left without a father and it appeared that Lysander was poor after the end of his life, tried to back out of the engagement and said he would not take her as his wife. For this, the Ephors fined the man. He was neither Spartan nor, in any other sense, Greek in his thinking, for he was unmindful of a deceased friend and valued wealth more than his promises.

XXIX. (Book 6, 14.)

I hear of this most gentle deed of Darius, the son of Hystaspes. Aribazos the Hyrcanian plotted against him, along with other men, not obscure figures among the Persians. The conspiracy was to take place during a hunt. Learning of this beforehand, Darius did not tremble, but ordering them to take their weapons and horses, he commanded them to level their spears. Looking at them sharply, he said, "Why then do you not do that for which you have set out?" Seeing the man's unswerving gaze, they checked their momentum. Fear gripped them so that they dropped their spears, dismounted their horses, bowed down to Darius, and surrendered themselves to do whatever he wished. He dispersed them, sending some to the borders of India and others to the Scythian lands. And they remained loyal to him, keeping his benevolence in their memory.