When Thebes Gave Its Greatest General the Job of Clearing Dung

Epaminondas was the Theban general who defeated Sparta at Leuctra in 371 BC. Despite his achievements, rivals in Thebes reportedly assigned him a lowly public office overseeing back alleys, waste removal and stagnant drainage. He accepted the role without protest. Rather than treat the work carelessly, he carried it out so well that, according to Plutarch, he gave the office a dignity it had never had before. The lesson is not that the insult was acceptable. It is that other people’s attempt to reduce you does not have to define your standards. Have you ever been given work you felt was beneath your abilities? Did doing it well eventually pay off?

Use The App To Win ₦1m

Stories are shared by community members. This article does not represent the official view of NaijaWorld — the author is solely responsible for its content.