To avoid the vices and infirmities
UT when he
perceived his favorites grow so luxurious and extravagant in their way of
living and expenses, that Hagnon, the Teian, wore silver nails in his shoes,
that Leonnatus employed several camels, only to bring him powder out of Egypt
to use when he wrestled, and that Philotas had hunting nets a hundred furlongs
in length, that more used precious ointment than plain oil when they went to
bathe, and that they carried about servants everywhere with them to rub them
and wait upon them in their chambers, he reproved them in gentle and
reasonable terms, telling them he wondered that they who had been engaged in
so many signal battles did not know by experience, that those who labor sleep
more sweetly and soundly than those who are labored for, and could fail to see
by comparing the Persians' manner of living with their own, that it was the
most abject and slavish condition to be voluptuous, but the most noble arid
royal to undergo pain and labor. He argued with them further, how it was
possible for anyone who pretended to be a soldier, either to look well after
his horse, or to keep his armor bright and in good order, who thought it much
to let his hands be serviceable to what was nearest to him, his own body. "Are
you still to learn," said he, "that the end and perfection of our victories is
to avoid the vices and infirmities of those whom we subdue?" And to strengthen
his precepts by example, he applied himself now more vigorously than ever to
hunting and warlike expeditions, embracing all opportunities of hardship and
danger, insomuch that a Lacedaemonian, who was there on an embassy to him, and
chanced to be by when he encountered with and mastered a huge lion, told him
he had fought gallantly with the beast, which of the two should be king.
Craterus caused a representation to be made of this adventure, consisting of
the lion and the dogs, of the king engaged with the lion, and himself coming
in to his assistance, all expressed in figures of brass, some of which were by
Lysippus, and the rest by Leochares; and had it dedicated in the temple of
Apollo at Delphi. Alexander exposed his person to danger in this manner, with
the object both of inuring himself, and inciting others to the performance of
brave and virtuous actions.
Next chapter: To serve
his friends 
Plutarch: ALEXANDER
