I can't believe no one has said this one but
Molon Labe
Here is the story and meaning behind those words.
"Xerxes wanted Greece. Greece was a historical marvel, a center of art, sculpture, architecture, commerce, and a former world-ruling empire. Just as all good Democrats and Republicans think today, Xerxes thought the best way to get his hands on all those goodies in Greece was to steal them from their rightful owners.
Greece knew the battle was coming. They took steps to prepare a defense for their country. The problem was that they had very little time to prepare.
A Spartan General and King named Leonidas took 300 fighting men and placed them and himself between Persia's 600,000 advancing troops and the area where the larger Greek army was formulating a defense. That initial battle would be 300 men against 600,000. The odds didn't look promising.Keep in mind that those 300 Greek men sent to hold off the invading 600,000-man Persian army did not win the battle. They lost. They really, really lost.
The 600,000 Persians knew that the little Greek army led by Leonidas wouldn't be a problem. Just a minor stepping-stone on their way into Greece. Like any warrior, however, the Persian leader Xerxes knew it would be better to get the 300 men on his side than to expend the time and minor casualties to fight those 300 Greeks.
That's why the Persian Emperor sent word to that small band of 300 Greek fighters with the following: we will spare every one of your lives. All you need to do is disarm yourselves. Put down your weapons and you will live.
It's a lot like what the Third Reich told many in Poland and elsewhere right before they spent the next few years firebombing those who lay down their guns.
"Give us your weapons. You don't need them. We're from the government. We're here to help. We will protect you."
Molon Labe
When the 300 Greeks heard that all they had to do was to give up their weapons to live, they didn't do what hundreds of thousands of Jews and other victims did 7 decades ago.
They didn't do what millions of British have done in the past 2 decades, seeing an intense exponential increase in violent crime ever since.
They didn't do what probably millions of Americans will do over the next few years as older generations who understand the importance of freedom, personal responsibility, and personal protection pass away.
What they did do was this: those 300 Greeks sent two words back to the 600,000 who requested their weapons.
"Molon labe."
Translation: Come and take them.
