Alexander the Great is one of history’s most renowned conquerors. He was a master strategist and led his armies to victory after victory. But what made Alexander so great? What can we learn from him? In this article, we will explore some of Alexander’s best quotes and see how they have changed history.
About Alexander the Great
Alexander III of Macedon, better known as Alexander the Great, was one of the most successful military commanders in history. He was born in 356 BC in Pella, the capital of Macedon. His father was Philip II, who became king of Macedon in 359 BC.
Alexander was educated by the philosopher Aristotle. In 337 BC, Philip II was assassinated, and Alexander became king. He immediately set out to conquer the Persian Empire, which he did with ease. By the time of his death in 323 BC, he had conquered most of the known world.
Alexander was an extraordinary leader and general. His legacy has inspired many people over the centuries, and he is still considered one of the greatest figures in history.
Here are the best Alexander The Great Quotes
Alexander’s reign was a pivotal moment in European and Asian history, changing the way that East and West interact. His military campaigns led to significantly increased trade between these two regions, exposing vast areas of Asia to Greek culture and influence. Let’s take a look at some of Alexander’s most famous quotes and see how they have changed history.
1. “Toil and risk are the price of glory, but it is a lovely thing to live with courage and die, leaving an everlasting fame.” – Alexander the Great
Despite his many accomplishments, Alexander was aware that his fame would not last forever. He knew that, eventually, he would die and that his empire would be divided among his successors. Nevertheless, he believed that the risk and effort required to achieve glory were worth it.
After all, everlasting fame was a lovely thing. In the end, Alexander’s prophecy came true. He did die prematurely, but his legacy has endured for centuries. His name is still famous more than two thousand years after his death.
2. “O Athenians, what toil do I undergo to please you!” – Alexander the Great
3. “My logisticians are a humorless lot … they know if my campaign fails, they are the first ones I will slay.”– Alexander the Great
4. “A king does not kill messengers.” – Alexander the Great
5. “The end and object of conquest is to avoid doing the same thing as the conquered.”– Alexander the Great
6. “But truly, if I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.”– Alexander the Great
7. “Let us conduct ourselves so that all men wish to be our friends and all fear to be our enemies.”– Alexander the Great
8. “I foresee a great funeral contest over me.”–Alexander the Great
9. “God must have loved Afghans because he made them so beautiful.” –Alexander the Great
10. “My treasure lies in my friends.” – Alexander the Great
11. “May God keep you away from the venom of the cobra, the teeth of the tiger, and the revenge of the Afghans.” – Alexander the Great
12. “I send you a kaffis of mustard seed, that you may taste and acknowledge the bitterness of my victory.”– Alexander the Great
13. “There are so many worlds and I have not yet conquered even one.”– Alexander the Great
At the age of just twenty, Alexander the Great became the king of Macedon after his father was assassinated. He quickly proved himself to be a brilliant military strategist, leading his armies to victory against the Persian Empire. In just a few short years, he had conquered most of the known world.
However, Alexander was not content to rest on his laurels. In his famous quote, he expresses his frustration at having conquered only a small portion of the world and his desire to keep exploring and expanding his empire.
14. “I am involved in the land of a leonine and brave people, where every foot of the ground is like a well of steel, confronting my soldier. You have brought only one son into the world, but everyone in this land can be called an Alexander.”– Alexander the Great
15. “Bury my body and don’t build any monuments. Keep my hands out, so the people know the one who won the world had nothing in hand when he died.”– Alexander the Great
16. “How great are the dangers I face to win a good name in Athens.” – Alexander the Great
17. “There is something noble in hearing myself ill spoken of, when I am doing well.”– Alexander the Great
18. “On their side more men are standing, on ours more will fight!”– Alexander the Great
19. “As for a limit to one’s labors, I, for one, do not recognize any for a high-minded man, except that the labors themselves should lead to noble accomplishments.”– Alexander the Great
20. “Are you still to learn that the end and perfection of our victories is to avoid the vices and infirmities of those whom we subdue?”– Alexander the Great
21. “Glory crowns the deeds of those who expose themselves to toils and dangers.”– Alexander the Great
Alexander faced unparalleled challenges and risks. Yet he never backed down from a challenge, even when the odds were against him. He believed that glory belonged to those who were willing to take risks and expose themselves to danger. This philosophy helped him to achieve great things, but it also led to his ultimate downfall.
He died at a young age, leaving his empire in chaos. Nevertheless, his legacy endures, and his quote remains as true today as it was two thousand years ago. Glory does indeed belong to those who are willing to take risks and face danger.
22. “For my part, I think that to a man of spirit, there is no other aim and end of his labours except the labours themselves.”– Alexander the Great
23. “Do you not think it a matter worthy of lamentation that when there is such a vast multitude of them [worlds], we have not yet conquered one?”– Alexander the Great
24. “I consider not what Parmenio should receive, but what Alexander should give.”– Alexander the Great
25. “With the right attitude, self-imposed limitations vanish.”– Alexander the Great
26. “In the end, when it’s over, all that matters is what you’ve done.”– Alexander the Great
27. “Heaven cannot brook two suns, nor earth two masters.”– Alexander the Great
28. “Whatever possession we gain by our sword cannot be sure or lasting, but the love gained by kindness and moderation is certain and durable.”– Alexander the Great
29. “I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well.”– Alexander the Great
30. “Are there no more worlds that I might conquer?”– Alexander the Great
31. “I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.”– Alexander the Great
Alexander demonstrated that a small, disciplined force could overcome a much larger enemy. The quote attributed to him reflects this belief. He was not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep because he knew that such an army would be no match for his own.
However, he was afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion because even the timidest creature can become a fearsome opponent when led by a strong and determined leader. This simple analogy highlights the importance of having a strong and capable leader at the helm. Otherwise, even the bravest soldiers will be no match for their opponents.
32. “Through every generation of the human race there has been a constant war, a war with fear.”– Alexander the Great
33. “Every light is not the sun.”– Alexander the Great
34. “True love never has a happy ending, because there is no ending to true love.”– Alexander the Great
35. “I would rather live a short life of glory than a long one of obscurity.”– Alexander the Great
36. “I am dying with the help of too many physicians.”– Alexander the Great
37. “We of Macedon for generations past have been trained in the hard school of danger and war.”– Alexander the Great
38. “Upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all.”– Alexander the Great
39. “A tomb now suffices him for whom the world was not enough.”– Alexander the Great
40. “I had rather excel others in the knowledge of what is excellent than in the extent of my power and dominion.”– Alexander the Great
41. “Remember, upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all.”– Alexander the Great
Upon first glance, the quote by Alexander the Great seems like a simple exhortation to always be mindful of one’s actions. However, upon closer examination, it is clear that there is much more to this statement. In essence, Alexander is saying that the actions of each individual have a direct impact on the lives of others.
In an increasingly interconnected world, it has never been more important to remember that our choices can have a profound impact on those around us. Whether we are making decisions about our personal lives or our professional lives, we must always keep in mind the potential consequences of our actions. Only by doing so can we hope to create a world that is prosperous and peaceful for all.
42. “I do not pilfer victory.”– Alexander the Great
43. “There is nothing impossible to him who will try.”– Alexander the Great
44. “A tomb now suffices him for whom the whole world was not sufficient.”– Alexander the Great
45. “Without Knowledge, Skill cannot be focused. Without Skill, Strength cannot be brought to bear and without Strength, Knowledge may not be applied.”– Alexander the Great
46. “Shall I pass by and leave you lying there because of the expedition you led against Greece, or shall I set you up again because of your magnanimity and your virtues in other respects?”– Alexander the Great
47. “Sex and sleep alone make me conscious that I am mortal.”– Alexander the Great
48. “At Achilles tomb, O fortunate youth, to have found Homer as the herald of your glory!”– Alexander the Great
49. “Those who have the courage to conquer it are made free and those who are conquered by it are made to suffer until they have the courage to defeat it, or death takes them.”– Alexander the Great
50. “I am involved in the land of a leonine and brave people, where every foot of the ground is like a well of steel, confronting my soldier. You have brought only one son into the world, but everyone in this land can be called an Alexander.”– Alexander the Great
51. “Now you fear punishment and beg for your lives, so I will let you free, if not for any other reason, so that you can see the difference between a Greek king and a barbarian tyrant, so do not expect to suffer any harm from me.”– Alexander the Great
This quote shows that Alexander was a wise and just ruler, who respected his people and was concerned with their well-being. It is also a reminder that Greeks were considered to be superior to other cultures at this time. This quote highlights the strength of Alexander’s character and his commitment to his people.
52. “Our enemies are Medes and Persians, men who for centuries have lived soft and luxurious lives; we of Macedon for generations past have been trained in the hard school of danger and war. Above all, we are free men, and they are slaves.”– Alexander the Great
Let’s Wind Up…
Alexander the Great was one of history’s most successful and renowned military commanders. He conquered vast territories, leaving a legacy that is still studied and admired to this day.
In his short life, he managed to leave an impressive collection of quotes that are as relevant now as they were over two thousand years ago. If you have any suggestions for similar posts in the future, please let us know. Thanks for following along!