To be excited or flustered by meat and drink was in their eyes something altogether swinish and bestial.

[18] Nor did Gobryas fail to notice that they only asked questions which were pleasant to answer, and only jested in a manner to please; all their mirth was as far from impertinence and malice as it was from vulgarity and unseemliness.

[19] And what struck him most was their evident feeling that on a campaign, since the danger was the same for all, no one was entitled to a larger share than any of his comrades; on the contrary, it was thought the perfection of the feast to perfect the condition of those who were to share the fighting.
[20] And thus when he rose to return home, the story runs that he said: "I begin to understand, Cyrus, how it is that while we have more goblets and more gold, more apparel and more wealth than you, yet we ourselves are not worth as much.

We are always trying to increase what we possess, but you seem to set your hearts on perfecting your own souls." [21] But Cyrus only answered: "My friend, be here without fail to-morrow, and bring all your cavalry in full armour, so that we may see your power, and then lead us through your country and show us who are hostile and who are friendly." [22] Thus they parted for the time and each saw to his own concerns.
But when the day dawned Gobryas appeared with his cavalry and led the way.

And Cyrus, as a born general would, not only supervised the march, but watched for any chance to weaken the enemy and add to his own strength.