To Archidamus (81)

But the remainder of the day would fail me if I undertook to set forth the advantages we should gain by such a course. This much, at any rate, is clear to all—that we have been superior to all the Hellenes, not because of the size of our city or the number of its inhabitants,[*] but because the government which we have established is like a military camp, well administered and rendering willing obedience to its officers.[*] If, then, we shall create in reality that which it has profited us to imitate, there can be no doubt that we shall easily overcome our foes.