Men decline to ask favors of the people, professing not to need any honors from them
 Plutarch, Parallel Lives (c. 100 AD). copy citation

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Author Plutarch
Source Parallel Lives
Topic honor need
Date c. 100 AD
Language English
Reference
Note Translated by A. H. Clough
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/674/674-h/674-h.htm

Context

“The origin of all lay in his unsociable, supercilious, and self-willed disposition, which, in all cases, is offensive to most people; and when combined with a passion for distinction passes into absolute savageness and mercilessness. Men decline to ask favors of the people, professing not to need any honors from them; and then are indignant if they do not obtain them. Metellus, Aristides, and Epaminondas certainly did not beg favors of the multitude; but that was because they, in real truth, did not value the gifts which a popular body can either confer or refuse;” source