XIX.7 On the Athenians and the Lacedæmonians
The Athenians, this gentleman continued, were a people who had some similarity to us. They went cheerfully about their business ; they liked a dash of mockery on the rostrum as on the stage. The vivacity they put into their councils carried over into the execution. The character of the Lacedæmonians was somber, serious, cold, and taciturn. You would not have gotten more out of an Athenian by boring him than you would than from a Lacedæmonian by entertaining him.