Xenophon, Greek Soldier: Xenophon, a Greek soldier and historian, distinguished himself not only on the battlefield but also as a chronicler of his times. His firsthand accounts of military campaigns, most notably in his work "Anabasis," provide invaluable insights into ancient warfare and leadership. Xenophon's writings, characterized by their clarity and vividness, continue to be studied by scholars and military strategists alike, cementing his reputation as one of antiquity's preeminent historians.
"For what the horse does under compulsion, as Simon also observes, is done without understanding; and there is no beauty in it either, any more than if one should whip and spur a dancer."
"Wherever magistrates were appointed from among those who complied with the injunctions of the laws, Socrates considered the government to be an aristocracy."
"There is small risk a general will be regarded with contempt by those he leads, if, whatever he may have to preach, he shows himself best able to perform."
"The true test of a leader is whether his followers will adhere to his cause from their own volition, enduring the most arduous hardships without being forced to do so, and remaining steadfast in the moments of greatest peril."
"Excess of grief for the dead is madness; for it is an injury to the living, and the dead know it not."