If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.

A tomb now suffices him for whom the world was not enough.

[Alexander's tombstone epitaph]

Now that the wars are coming to an end, I wish you to prosper in peace. May all mortals from now on live like one people in concord and for mutual advancement. Consider the world as your country, with laws common to all and where the best will govern irrespective of tribe. I do not distinguish among men, as the narrow-minded do, both among Greeks and Barbarians. I am not interested in the descendance of the citizens or their racial origins. I classify them using one criterion: their virtue. For me every virtuous foreigner is a Greek and every evil Greek worse than a Barbarian. If differences ever develop between you never have recourse to arms, but solve them peacefully. If necessary, I should be your arbitrator.

If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.

If my soldiers were to begin to think, not one of them would remain in the army.

For my own part, I would rather excel in knowledge of the highest secrets of philosophy than in arms.