Could You 
Laugh at 
Themistocles? 
HEMISTOCLES, the 
old Athenian, had a 
hard time making it, but 
his place in history is ever¬ 
lasting. Personal vanity 
was his trade mark, and “I, 
Themistocles,” his favorite 
quotation. Whenever his 
followers would build tri¬ 
umphal memorials, he 
would have his private ma¬ 
son inscribe on the corner¬ 
stone, “I, Themistocles, 
the Athenian, did this or 
did that.” 
People began to laugh at 
him. And finally, although 
Marathon and S a 1 a m i s 
proved his right to a good 
bit of boasting, he was ban¬ 
ished. Xerxes, the Persian, captured him in 
exile. Despite his dismissal by his country, 
Themistocles refused all the offers from his 
captor, fervidly avowing his patriotism with 
his same old lines: 
“I, Themistocles, the Athenian, won 
at Marathon and at Salamis, and the 
evils that I have done to the Persians 
are numerous; my mind is suited to 
my calamities; I am prepared alike 
for favors and for anger; my wife and 
my children have been provided for 
— therefore, oh Persian King, I, The¬ 
mistocles, the Athenian, am ready 
to die.'’ 
Notice that climax to his speech of de¬ 
fiance: “My wife and my children have been 
provided for! ” 
Throughout all his struggles against his 
many enemies, the sturdy old warrior had 
always a thought for his family’s future. 
Why is it that in these peaceful times, with 
life insurance so easy a matter, there are 
many who cannot boast as truthfully as old 
Themistocles ? 
THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA 
EDWARD D. DUFFIELD 
President 
HOME OFFICE: NEWARK 
JA [Jiv Jersey 
If Every Wife Knew What Every Widow Knows—Every Husband Would Be Insured 
THE COUNTRY LIFE PRESS. GARDEN CITY. NEW YORK 
