The Good Book_ A Secular Bible - A. C. Grayling [274]
13. A contrary account of his character is given by Ion, the dramatic poet, who said that Pericles’ manner in company was somewhat pompous;
14. And that into his high-bearing there entered a good deal of disdain and scorn of others.
15. Ion reserved his commendation for Cimon’s ease and natural grace in society, as an admirer of that leader, so we cannot altogether rely on his opinion.
16. Zeno used to tell those who thought that Pericles’ gravity was an affectation, to go and affect the like themselves,
17. On the grounds that counterfeiting it might in time make them acquire a real love and knowledge of noble qualities.
18. Nor were these the only advantages that Pericles derived from Anaxagoras’ acquaintance;
19. He seems also to have become, by his instructions, superior to the folly that possesses the minds of people unacquainted with science,
20. Eager for silly explanations, and excitable through ignorance of nature.
21. Pericles, while still a young man, stood in considerable apprehension of the people,
22. Because he was thought to look very like the tyrant Pisistratus,
23. And those of great age remarked upon the sweetness of his voice, and his eloquence and rapidity in speaking,
24. And were struck with amazement at the resemblance to Pisistratus in this too.
25. Reflecting also that he was rich, and from a noble family with influential friends,
26. He thought all this might cause him to be banished as a dangerous person to the tranquillity of the state,
27. And therefore he avoided state affairs, but devoted himself intrepidly to military service.
28. But when Aristides died, and Themistocles had been driven out, and Cimon was for the most part kept abroad by military expeditions outside Greece,
29. Pericles, seeing things in this posture, stepped forward into public life, not on the side of the rich and few,
30. But with the many and poor, contrary to his natural bent, which was far from democratical.
31. Fearing that he might be suspected of aiming at arbitrary power, and seeing Cimon on the side of the aristocracy,
32. And much beloved by the better and more distinguished people, he joined the party of the people, with a view at once both to secure himself and to oppose Cimon.
Chapter 30
1. Pericles immediately entered, also, on quite a new course of life and management of his time.
2. For he was never seen to walk in any street but that which led to the marketplace and council hall,
3. And he avoided invitations from friends to go to supper with them, and ceased all friendly visiting and intercourse whatever;
4. In all the time he had to do with the public, which was not a little, he was never known to go to any of his friends for supper, except once when his near kinsman Euryptolemus married;
5. And then he remained only until drinks were served, when he immediately rose from table and went home.
6. For these friendly meetings are quick to undo any assumed superiority, and a grave exterior is hard to maintain in intimate familiarity.
7. Real excellence, indeed, is most recognised when most openly looked into;
8. And in really good men, nothing which meets the eyes of external observers so truly deserves their admiration,
9. As their daily common life does that of their nearer friends.
10. Pericles, however, to avoid any feeling of commonness, or any satiety on the part of the people,
11. Presented himself at intervals only, not speaking on every business, nor at all times coming into the assembly,
12. But, as Critolaus says, reserving himself, like the Salaminian galley, for great occasions,
13. While matters of lesser importance were dispatched by friends or other speakers under his direction.
14. Among his lieutenants was Ephialtes, who broke the power of the council of Areopagus,
15. Giving the people, according to Plato’s expression, so copious and so strong a draught of liberty, that they grew wild and unruly as an unmanageable horse.
16. The style of speaking