It is the life of Alexander the king, and of Caesar, who overthrew
 Pompey, that I am writing in this book, and the multitude of the deeds
 to be treated is so great that I shall make no other preface than to
 entreat my readers, in case I do not tell of all the famous actions of
 these men, nor even speak exhaustively at all in each particular case,
 but in epitome for the most part, not to complain. For it is not Histories that I am writing, but Lives; and in the most
 illustrious deeds there is not always a manifestation of virtue or vice,
 nay, a slight thing like a phrase or a jest often makes a greater
 revelation of character than battles where thousands fall, or the
 greatest armaments, or sieges of cities.