Xenophōn (c.435–c.354 BCE) was a Greek historian, writer, and military leader.
Born in Athens, Xenophōn became a friend and student of Socrates. From 401 BCE, he fought with Cyrus the Younger against Artaxerxes II of Persia. This campaign and the role that Xenophōn played in leading his Greek mercenary army back across Asia Minor after Cyrus’s death are narrated in his Anabasis.
Xenophōn’s most famous writing is the Hellenica—this history of Greece picks up from the story of the Peloponnesian War where Thucydides’s incomplete history terminates.
Xenophōn also wrote on a variety of topics. He wrote about the life and teachings of Socrates, and the Cyropaedia, a historical romance about the education of Cyrus the Younger. His prose was admired in antiquity and had a strong influence on Latin literature.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Xenophon
When one side goes against the enemy with the gods’ gift of a stronger morale their adversaries, as a rule, cannot withstand them.
—Xenophon
Excess of grief for the dead is madness; for it is an injury to the living, and the dead know it not.
—Xenophon
Policy goes beyond strength, and contrivance before action; hence it is that direction is left to the commander, and execution to the soldier, who is not to ask Why? but to do what he is commanded.
—Xenophon
So far as drinking is concerned, you have my hearty approval; for wine does of a truth moisten the soul and lull our griefs to sleep….[and with small cups] we shall …be brought by its gentle persuasion to a more sportive mood.
—Xenophon
If you consider what are called the virtues in mankind, you will find their growth is assisted by education and cultivation.
—Xenophon
Topics: Education
He who will not apply himself to business, eventually discovers that he means to get his bread by cheating, stealing, or begging, or else is wholly void of reason.
—Xenophon
Topics: Business
The sweetest of all sounds is praise.
—Xenophon
Topics: Praise
Agriculture for an honorable and high-minded man, is the best of all occupations or arts by which men procure the means of living.
—Xenophon
A man’s praises have very musical and charming accents in the mouth of another, but sound very flat and untunable in his own.
—Xenophon
Pray to God, at the beginning of all thy works, that so thou mayest bring them all to a good ending.
—Xenophon
Topics: Prayer
The sweetest sound of all is praise.
—Xenophon
Topics: Praise, One liners
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