In the end it was agreed by all the company that the question should be raised, and that every one who claimed to call himself a man was bound to argue in its favour.
[22] And on that one of the brigadiers smiled to himself and said: "I know at least one son of the soil who will be ready to agree that the principle of share and share alike should not be followed everywhere." "And who is he ?" another asked.
"Well," said the first, "he is a member of our quarters, I can tell you that, and he is always hunting after the lion's share of every single thing." "What?
Of everything ?" said a third.

"Of work as well ?" "Oh, no!" said the first, "you have caught me there.

I was wrong to say so much, I must confess.

When it comes to work, I must admit, he is quite ready to go short: he will give up his own share of that, without a murmur, to any man whatever." [23] "For my part, gentlemen," said Cyrus, "I hold that all such idlers ought to be turned out of the army, that is, if we are ever to cultivate obedience and energy in our men.

The bulk of our soldiers, I take it, are of the type to follow a given lead: they will seek after nobleness and valour if their leaders are valiant and noble, but after baseness if these are base.