54.15
The suitors of his daughters, when after his death he was found to be a poor man, renounced their obligations; but the Ephors punished them because when they thought he was rich they courted his favour, but when they found from his poverty that he was just and honest they disdained him. Cf. Plutarch’s Life of Lysander, chap. xxx. (451 A), and Aelian, Varia Historia, vi. 4, and x. 15.
NAMERTES
55.1
Namertes was sent as an ambassador, and when one of the people in that country congratulated him because he had many friends, he asked if this man had any sure means of testing the man of many friends; and when the other desired to learn, Namertes said, By means of misfortune. Cf. John Heywood, Proverbs, part. i. chap. 11: But indeede a friend is never known till a man have neede.
NICANDER An early Spartan king, perhaps circa 809-770 B.C. He was the son of Charillus (Moralia, 189 F, supra.).
56.1
Nicander, when someone said that the Argives were speaking ill of him, said, Well then, they are paying the penalty for speaking ill of the good! He was invading Argolis and laying waste the country; see Pausanias, iii. 7. 4.
56.2
When someone inquired why the Spartans wore their hair long and cultivated beards, he said, Because for a man his own adornment is the very best and cheapest. Cf. the note on Moralia, 189 F (3), supra.