Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
People love attributing pithy sayings (aphorisms) to famous people, both now and in antiquity too. Alexander attracted a lot of them. We look at some popular inspirational posters/pictures from the internet with things he never said. But we also discuss how ancient authors themselves moved around bon mots from one person to another, to suit their own purposes. And then look at a couple sayings in the ancient sources that maybe Alexander did say, or something close to it.
Ancient sources mentioned: Plutarch's Moralia and Life of Alexander, also Diogenes Laertius.
People love attributing pithy sayings (aphorisms) to famous people, both now and in antiquity too. Alexander attracted a lot of them. We look at some popular inspirational posters/pictures from the internet with things he never said. But we also discuss how ancient authors themselves moved around bon mots from one person to another, to suit their own purposes. And then look at a couple sayings in the ancient sources that maybe Alexander did say, or something close to it.
Ancient sources mentioned: Plutarch's Moralia and Life of Alexander, also Diogenes Laertius.
