Such an education produced its results in an athletic frame, in simple and hardy habits--in indomitable patience--in quick sagacity.

But there were other qualities necessary to the position of the Spartan, and those scarce so praiseworthy--viz., craft and simulation.

He was one of a scanty, if a valiant, race.

No single citizen could be spared the state: it was often better to dupe than to fight an enemy.
Accordingly, the boy was trained to cunning as to courage.

He was driven by hunger, or the orders of the leader over him, to obtain his food, in house or in field, by stealth;--if undiscovered, he was applauded; if detected, punished.