We are all sensible that the king and Tisaphernes have caused as many of us as they could to be apprehended, and it is plain they design, by the same treacherous means, if they can, to destroy the rest.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the treachery and danger posed by those in power, suggesting that their intentions are often harmful and deceitful.
Xenophon's quote reflects on the treachery of those in positions of authority, like kings and powerful leaders, who may conspire to eliminate opposition and maintain control. It serves as a reminder of the fragility of freedom and the potential for betrayal in political contexts, where the intentions of leaders can lead to the undoing of those they lead.
In practice
In a discussion about political ethics, this quote can illustrate the dangers of unchecked power.
Those men who, in war, seek to preserve their lives at any rate commonly die with shame and ignominy, while those who look upon death as common to all, and unavoidable, and are only solicitous to die with honour, oftener arrive at old age and, while they live, live happier.
You see that even the enemy did not dare to declare war against us till they had seized our generals, for they were sensible that, while we had commanders and yielded obedience to them, we were able to conquer them; but, having seized our commanders, they concluded that we should, from a want of command and discipline, be destroyed.
You know that neither numbers nor strength give the victory, but that side which, with the assistance of the gods, attacks with the greatest resolution is generally irresistible.
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.
Let a man sow a field or plant a farm never so well, yet he cannot foretell who will gather in the fruits; another may build him a house of fairest proportion, yet he knows not who will inhabit it.
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.
Memory is redundant: it repeats signs so that the city can begin to exist.
Sometime I’ll lay down my wrath, As I lay my body down Between the ache of breath and breath, Golden slumber in the bone.
The answer is never the answer. What's really interesting is the mystery.
We act not for ourselves but for the whole human race. The event of our experiment is to show whether man can be trusted with self - government.
An evil for these times destined to move through the world in handsome human guise.
Privilege, you see, is one of the great adversaries of the imagination; it spreads a thick layer of adipose tissue over our sensitivity.
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