The Good Book_ A Secular Bible - A. C. Grayling [293]
18. He is said never to have been angry or hasty with servants, but would, when free from his duties, help them in theirs.
19. When he was with the army he used to drink only water, unless, when extremely thirsty, he might mingle it with a little vinegar; or if he found his strength fail him, a little wine.
20. The small country house of Manius Curius, who had been awarded three Triumphs by Rome, happened to be near his farm;
21. So that often visiting there, and contemplating the small compass and plainness of the place,
22. He formed an idea of the mind of the person, who, being one of the greatest of the Romans, and having subdued the most warlike nations,
23. Was contented to dig in so small a piece of ground, and live in such a cottage.
24. Here it was that the ambassadors of the Samnites, finding Manius boiling turnips in the chimney corner, offered him a present of gold;
25. But he sent them away, saying that he, who was content with such a supper, had no need of gold;
26. And that he thought it more honourable to conquer those who possessed gold, than to possess the gold itself.
27. Cato, after reflecting on these things, used to return home,
28. And reviewing his own farm, his servants and housekeeping, increase his labour, and further retrench his expenses.
29. When Fabius Maximus took Tarentum, Cato, being then just a youth, was a soldier under him;
30. And lodging with one Nearchus, a Pythagorean, desired to understand some of his doctrine.
31. Hearing from him about Plato’s doctrines – that pleasure is evil’s chief bait and the body the principal calamity of the mind,
32. And that those thoughts which most separate and take the mind from the appetites of the body, most enfranchise and purify it,
33. He fell in love all the more with frugality and temperance.
34. With this exception, he is said not to have studied Greek until when he was quite old;
35. And in rhetoric then to have profited a little by Thucydides, and more by Demosthenes.
36. His writings, however, are considerably embellished with Greek sayings and stories;
37. Many of these, translated word for word, figure among his own apothegm.
Chapter 51
1. There was a man of the highest rank, and very influential among the Romans, called Valerius Flaccus,
2. Who was singularly skilful in discerning excellence in the young, and disposed to nourish and advance it.
3. He had lands bordering Cato’s; nor could he but admire him, when he understood from Cato’s servants their master’s manner of living,
4. And how he laboured with his own hands; went on foot betimes in the morning to the courts to assist those who wanted his counsel;
5. How, returning home again, when it was winter, he would throw a loose cloak over his shoulders,
6. And in the summer time would work among his domestics, sit with them, eat of the same bread and drink of the same wine.
7. When they spoke of his fair dealing and moderation and his wise sayings, Valerius arranged that he should be invited to supper;
8. And thus becoming personally assured of Cato’s superior character,
9. Which, like a plant, seemed only to require culture and a better situation,
10. He persuaded him to apply himself to state affairs at Rome.
11. To Rome, therefore, Cato went, and by his work in the courts soon gained many friends and admirers;
12. But, Valerius chiefly assisting his promotion, he first of all got appointed tribune in the army, and afterwards was made its treasurer.
13. And now becoming eminent and noted, he passed, with Valerius himself, through the greatest commands, being first his colleague as consul, and then censor.
14. But among all the ancient senators, he most attached himself to Fabius Maximus;
15. Not so much for the honour of his person, and greatness of his power, as that he might have before him Fabius’ habit and manner of life, as the best examples to follow:
16. And so he did not hesitate to oppose Scipio the Great, who, being then but a young man,
17. Had set himself against the power of Fabius, and to be envied by him.