to observe a constant tenor, (not interrupted, with any other
cares and distractions,) in the study and esteem of philosophy:
to be bountiful and liberal in the largest measure; always to
hope the best; and to be confident that my friends love me.
In whom I moreover observed open dealing towards those whom
he reproved at any time, and that his friends might without
all doubt or much observation know what he would, or would not,
so open and plain was he.

XII. From Claudius Maximus, in all things to endeavour to have power
of myself, and in nothing to be carried about; to be cheerful and
courageous in all sudden chances and accidents, as in sicknesses:
to love mildness, and moderation, and gravity: and to do my business,
whatsoever it be, thoroughly, and without querulousness.
Whatsoever he said, all men believed him that as he spake, so he thought,
and whatsoever he did, that he did it with a good intent.
His manner was, never to wonder at anything; never to be in haste,
and yet never slow: nor to be perplexed, or dejected, or at any
time unseemly, or excessively to laugh: nor to be angry, or suspicious,
but ever ready to do good, and to forgive, and to speak truth;
and all this, as one that seemed rather of himself to have been
straight and right, than ever to have been rectified or redressed;
neither was there any man that ever thought himself undervalued by him,
or that could find in his heart, to think himself a better man than he.
He would also be very pleasant and gracious.

XIII. In my father, I observed his meekness; his constancy
without wavering in those things, which after a due examination
and deliberation, he had determined. How free from all
vanity he carried himself in matter of honour and dignity,