These Spartan quotes and sayings will inspire you to take on life’s battles.
Sparta is the warrior society of ancient Greece and the Spartans arose from the city-state of Sparta. The Spartan army reached the pinnacle of its power after defeating its rivals from Athens in the Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.C.).
They were trained by setting strict rules since birth and due to their strict military drills, they become one of the most feared and formidable military forces of that time.
The Spartans had three basic core values discipline, courage, and obedience. These values were the top priorities of Spartans as you can read in the Spartan quotes below.
Molon Labe is a classical expression of defiance which is related to Spartans and has been widely used by many gun-rights groups. The meaning of Molon Labe is “Come and take them”. It was the response of King Leonidas when the enemy demanded his soldiers to lay down their weapons.
Many Hollywood movies such as Hercules, Xena: Warrior Princess, and 300 are inspired by the Spartans. 300 is an American epic historical action film that was released in 2007 starer Gerard Butler as King Leonidas and Lena Headey as Queen Gorgo. Hercules and Xena: Warrior Princess are television series.
Here we are sharing a collection of Spartan quotes and sayings about strength and death by the spartan warriors to motivate and inspire you to fight the battle of your life with all you have.
Spartan Quotes
“There is no use for bravery unless justice is present, and no need for bravery if all men are just.” – Agesilaus, Spartan King
“If you confer a benefit, never remember it; if you receive one, never forget it.” – Chilon of Sparta
“The Spartans are the equal of any men when they fight as individuals; fighting together as a collective, they surpass all other men.” – Demaratus, Spartan King
“King Phillip II: If I invade Lakonia you will be destroyed, never to rise again. Spartan Reply: IF” – Spartan Quote
“Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, that here, obedient to their laws, we lie.” – Simonides, Greek Poet
“Then we shall fight in the shade.” — Spartan leader Dieneces, (upon being told that the Persian army had so many arrows that they could hide the sun)
“He who sweats more in training bleeds less in war.” – Spartan Creed
“The daughters of Sparta are never at home! They mingle with the young men in wrestling matches.” – Euripides
“Mental toughness is spartanism with qualities of sacrifice, self-denial, dedication. It is fearlessness, and it is love.” – Vince Lombardi
“King Leonidas: A Spartan’s true strength is the warrior next to him. So give respect and honor to him, and it will be returned to you. First, you fight with your head…. Queen Gorgo: Then you fight with your heart.” – 300 Quote
King Leonidas Quotes
“This is where we hold them! This is where we fight! This is where they die! Remember this day, for it will be yours for all time.” – King Leonidas, 300
“Spartans never retreat! Spartans never surrender! Go spread the word. Let every Greek assembled know the truth of this. Let each among them search his own soul. And while you’re at it, search your own.” – King Leonidas, 300
“No retreat, no surrender; that is Spartan law. And by Spartan law, we will stand and fight, and die.” – Leonidas, 300
“Now eat a good breakfast, men. For we’ll all be sharing dinner in hell.” – Leonidas, Spartan King
“Come and take the them.” – Leonidas, Spartan King
“Give them nothing, but take from them, everything.” – King Leonidas, 300
“Spartans! Prepare for glory!” – King Leonidas, 300
“The world will know that free men stood against a tyrant, that few stood against many. And before this battle is over, that even a god king can bleed.” – King Leonidas, 300
“If numbers are what matters, all Greece cannot match a small part of that army; but if courage is what counts, this number is sufficient.” — Leonidas, King of Sparta
“This is where we hold them! This is where we fight! This is where they die! Remember this day, for it will be yours for all time.” – King Leonidas, 300
Quotes and Sayings Of Spartan Women
“Then his brother can take his place.” — One Spartan Mother ( in response to the news that her son had died in war)
“Come back with your shield, or upon it.” – Spartan Mother
“Son, remember your courage with each step.” – Spartan Mother
“Either quit your thieving or quit breathing.” – Spartan Mother
“Freedom is what we reap from this way of life, my friend.” — Unknown
“It will be the size of a lion when I bore down on my enemies.” — A Spartan (when asked why he had drawn a fly on his shield, instead of something more terrifying.)
“That’s fine, for I shall show that it isn’t positions which lend men distinction, but men who enhance positions.” — Unknown
“The walls of Sparta were its young men, and its borders the points of their spears.” – Agesilaus, Spartan King
“So that we may get close to the enemy.” — Agesilaus, Spartan King (on why Spartans fought with short swords)
“The Spartans do not ask how many are the enemy but where are they.” – Plutarch
Spartan Quotes About Strength, Death
“From the time he could stand, he was baptized in the fire of combat. Taught never to retreat, never to surrender, but death on the battlefield in service to Sparta was the greatest glory he could achieve in his life.” – Dilios, 300
“Learn to love death’s ink-black shadow as much as you love the light of dawn.” — Tyrtaeus, Spartan Poet
“Feel no fear before the multitude of men, do not run in panic, but let each man bear his shield straight toward the fore-fighters, regarding his own life as hateful and holding the dark spirits of death as dear as the radiance of the sun.” – Spartan Proverb
“Rise up, warriors, take your stand at one another’s sides, our feet set wide and rooted like oaks in the ground. ‘‘…learn to love death’s ink-black shadow as much as you love the light of dawn. ‘Here is courage, mankind’s finest possession, here is the noblest prize that a young man can endeavor to win.” – Tyrtaeus, Spartan Poet
“You should reach the limits of virtue before you cross the border of death.” – Aristodemus, Spartan Warrior
“A new age has begun. An age of freedom, and all will know, that 300 Spartans gave their last breath to defend it!” — King Leonidas, 300
“Spartans, eat well, for tonight we dine in Hades.” — King Leonidas, 300
“You have many slaves, but few warriors. It won’t be long before they fear my spears more than your whips.” – King Leonidas, 300
“I am here for all those voices which cannot be heard: mothers, daughters, fathers, sons, three hundred families that bleed for our rights. We must send the entire Spartan army to aid our king in the preservation of not just ourselves, but of our children. Send the army for the preservation of liberty. Send it for justice. Send it for law and order. Send it for reason. But most importantly, send our army for hope. Hope that a king and his men have not been wasted to the pages of history and that their courage bonds us together, that we are made stronger by their actions, and that your choices today reflect their bravery.” – Queen Gorgo, 300
“Begin with your own family.” — Unknown
Famous Spartan Warrior Motivational Quotes, Sayings, And Phrases
“The Gods will take care of the Kings Army.” — Demaratus, Spartan King
“It is not a question of what a Spartan citizen should do, nor a husband, nor a king. Instead, ask yourself what should a free man do?” – Queen Gorgo, 300
“Xerxes: It isn’t wise to stand against me. Imagine what horrible fate awaits my enemies when I would gladly kill any of my own men for victory. King Leonidas: And I would die for any one of mine.” – 300 Quote
“There’s no room for softness… not in Sparta. No place for weakness. Only the hard and strong may call themselves Spartans. Only the hard, only the strong.” – Dillios, 300
“Persian Warrior: Spartans, lay down your weapons. King Leonidas: Persians, come and get them.” – 300 Quote
“Queen Gorgo: Do not be coy or stupid, Persian. You can afford neither in Sparta! Messenger: What makes this woman thinks she can speak among men? Queen Gorgo: Because only Spartan women give birth to real men!” – 300 Quote
“Your lips can finish what your fingers have started… or has the Oracle robbed you of your desire as well?” — Queen Gorgo, 300
“Unlike the cruel Leonidas, who demanded that you stand, I require only that you kneel.” — Xerxes, 300
“It would be a regrettable waste. It would be nothing short of madness for you, brave king, and your valiant troops to perish. All because of a simple misunderstanding. There is much our cultures could share.” — Xerxes, 300
“Freedom isn’t free at all, that it comes with the highest of costs. The cost of blood.” – Queen Gorgo, 300
Did you like these Spartan quotes?
When it comes to ancient history, there aren’t many texts that are as well-preserved as the ancient Greek culture. The military might of Sparta is a prime example of this. The culture of Sparta is one that’s etched in history, but there are still some things you probably don’t know about the Spartan army.
The Spartans were the best warriors of ancient Greece. They were trained from birth, and they had to follow a strict set of rules all their lives. These rules are fascinating, and they can teach you a lot about how to be successful.
In ancient Sparta, as in all other Greek city-states, the top priority for boys was becoming disciplined. Not only were the boys taught how to endure pain and hardship but also how to fight effectively in battles.
Do you know that Sparta is still a town in Greece and there are around 35000 Spartans living there? The city was used to be a brutal civilization but now it is more a wonderful place for historians to visit.
We hope these Spartan quotes, sayings, phrases by the spartan warrior will awake your inner warrior and inspire you to take on your life’s battles.
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