despised by Maximus, or ever venture to think himself a better man. He
had also the art of being humorous in an agreeable way.

16. In my father I observed mildness of temper, and unchangeable
resolution in the things which he had determined after due deliberation;
and no vain-glory in those things which men call honors; and a love of
labor and perseverance; and a readiness to listen to those who had
anything to propose for the common weal; and undeviating firmness in
giving to every man according to his deserts; and a knowledge derived
from experience of the occasions for vigorous action and for remission.
And I observed that he had overcome all passion for boys; and he
considered himself no more than any other citizen; and he released his
friends from all obligation to sup with him or to attend him of necessity
when he went abroad, and those who had failed to accompany him, by reason
of any urgent circumstances, always found him the same. I observed, too,
his habit of careful inquiry in all matters of deliberation, and his
persistency, and that he never stopped his investigation through being
satisfied with appearances which first present themselves; and that his
disposition was to keep his friends, and not to be soon tired of them,
nor yet to be extravagant in his affection; and to be satisfied on all
occasions, and cheerful; and to foresee things a long way off, and to
provide for the smallest without display; and to check immediately
popular applause and all flattery; and to be ever watchful over the
things which were necessary for the administration of the empire, and to
be a good manager of the expenditure, and patiently to endure the blame
which he got for such conduct; and he was neither superstitious with
respect to the gods, nor did he court men by gifts or by trying to please
them, or by flattering the populace; but he showed sobriety in all things
and firmness, and never any mean thoughts or action, nor love of novelty.
And the things which conduce in any way to the commodity of life, and of