Book 5
11.40
Again, a remarkable example of the weight carried by authority is provided by the fact that when the Megarians disputed the possession of Salamis with the Athenians, the latter prevailed by citing a line from Homer, II. ii. 558. Twelve ships great Ajax brought from Salamis, And ranged them where the Athenian army stood. which is not however found in all editions, to the effect that Ajax united his ships with those of the Athenians.
11.41
Generally received sayings also become common property owing to the very fact that they are anonymous, as, for instance, Friends are a treasure, or Conscience is as good as a thousand witnesses, or, to quote Cicero, Cato maj. iii 7. In the words of the old proverb, birds of a feather flock together. Sayings such as these would not have acquired immortality had they not carried conviction of their truth to all mankind.
