PREFACE

The lives which we here present in condensed, simple form are prepared from those of Plutarch, of whom it will perhaps be interesting to young readers to have a short account...

...Plutarch says, "It must be borne in mind that my design is not to write histories, but lives." This is why anecdotes, short sayings, or a word or two of repartee are frequently recorded. For they furnish a better insight into the thoughts and character of a man than his most glorious exploit, famous siege, or bloody battle. So it is lives, and not a history, that we offer; this must be borne in mind when some of the most important events the world has ever known receive insufficient mention.

R.K.

From the book