his slaves. [Footnote: 1] His dress came from Lorium, his villa on the
coast, and from Lanuvium generally. [Footnote: 2] We know how he behaved
to the toll-collector at Tusculum who asked his pardon; and such was all
his behavior. There was in him nothing harsh, nor implacable, nor
violent, nor, as one may say, anything carried to the sweating point; but
he examined all things severally, as if he had abundance of time, and
without confusion, in an orderly way, vigorously and consistently. And
that might be applied to him which is recorded of Socrates, that he was
able both to abstain from, and to enjoy, those things which many are too
weak to abstain from, and cannot enjoy without excess. But to be strong
enough both to bear the one and to be sober in the other is the mark of a
man who has a perfect and invincible soul, such as he showed in the
illness of Maximus.

17. To the gods I am indebted for having good grandfathers, good parents,
a good sister, good teachers, good associates, good kinsmen and friends,
nearly everything good. Further, I owe it to the gods that I was not
hurried into any offence against any of them, though I had a disposition
which, if opportunity had offered, might have led me to do something of
this kind; but, through their favor, there never was such a concurrence
of circumstances as put me to the trial. Further, I am thankful to the
gods that I was not longer brought up with my grandfather's concubine,
and that I preserved the flower of my youth, and that I did not make
proof of my virility before the proper season, but even deferred the
time; that I was subjected to a ruler and a father who was able to take
away all pride from me, and to bring me to the knowledge that it is
possible for a man to live in a palace without wanting either guards or
embroidered dresses, or torches and statues, and such-like show; but that
it is in such a man's power to bring himself very near to the fashion of
a private person, without being for this reason either meaner in thought,