“So far as I am concerned, I could not be accused of having set eyes, or having wished to set eyes, upon Darius’ wife: on the contrary, I have refused even to listen to those who spoke to me of her beauty.”
- July 20, 356 BC – June 10, 323 BC
- Born in Macedonia
- King of Macedonia
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Quote
“So far as I am concerned, I could not be accused of having set eyes, or having wished to set eyes, upon Darius’ wife: on the contrary, I have refused even to listen to those who spoke to me of her beauty.”
Explanation
This quote, reliably attributed to Alexander the Great, highlights his discipline, respect for honor, and self-restraint in a moment of great temptation. After defeating Darius III of Persia at the Battle of Issus in 333 BCE, Alexander captured the Persian royal family, including Darius’ wife, Stateira, reputed to be extraordinarily beautiful. Rather than exploiting his victory for personal indulgence, Alexander declared that he had deliberately avoided even looking at her, out of respect and moral principle.
In the ancient world, conquerors often claimed not only land and treasure but also the families of defeated rulers, asserting dominance through humiliation. Alexander’s refusal to even entertain thoughts of Darius’ wife served both as a political statement and a personal ethic. It reinforced his image as a magnanimous ruler rather than a tyrant, elevating his conquests from acts of mere power to a vision of just kingship and self-mastery.
This restraint carries modern relevance in contexts of power, privacy, and ethical leadership. Whether in military, political, or corporate settings, the ability to exercise control over one’s desires in the face of opportunity remains a mark of true integrity. Alexander’s conduct reminds us that restraint in victory can command more respect than indulgence, and that dignity in power often defines a leader more than the act of conquest itself.
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