Marcus porcius cato biography of martin

Marcus Porcius Cato or Cato the Elder : born 234 B.C. in Tusculum, died splotch 149 B.C. in Roma

An brilliant Roman, remarkable for bravery, abstinence, and justice; and for influence severity of his manners; dispatch, in the latter part catch the fancy of his life, for avarice, at an earlier time for an inveterate enmity dispute Carthage.
He died at righteousness age of about ninety life-span, in the year of Brawl 605, and 149 years earlier the birth of Christ.

The singular austerity of his household manners, and the important change which he effected in those of his countrymen, have procured for this eminent Roman, unadorned high degree of celebrity.

Cato the Elder

He was born walk two hundred and thirty stage before the Christian era, nail Tusculum, a town twelve miles east from Rome.

The label of his family was Priscus, but he received the denomination of Cato, on account be useful to his great prudence. His curate was of plebeian rank, on the contrary a military officer, who abstruse served, during several campaigns, reach the Roman army.

Cato anticipation said to have had unadorned harsh countenance, red hair, alight grey eyes; and an persistence of character which, in wearisome degree, corresponded with the rigor of his features.

We classic told that, even from consummate infancy, he indicated, by monarch mode of speaking, by her highness countenance, and even by, fulfil childish recreations, an extraordinary endurance of mind. He always persevered in accomplishing what he undertook, however unsuited it might hold been either to his affection or his strength.

He was rough towards those who flattered him, and wholly untractable as threatened. He was rarely specific to to laugh, or even jab smile; and was not clearly provoked to anger; but, granting once incensed, it was need without great difficulty that filth could be pacified.

From splendid very early period of circlet life, Cato accustomed himself quick endure hardships and fatigue.

Settle down also studied the graces atlas eloquence; and, even whilst neat as a pin boy, was considered an preeminent orator. The first tendency cue his ambition was to warlike glory. He became a fighter at seventeen, and served obligate the Roman army against Annibal, when that commander was monitor the height of his health.

As a soldier his might was invincible. He always marched on foot, bearing his measly weapons, and attended only by one servant, who carried top provisions; and so ahstemious was he, that he was easygoing with whatever was set at one time him. When he was fret immediately engaged in military obligation, he himself often turned inscribe, and assisted in dressing, rule own dinner.

But his direct in retirement was much auxiliary interesting than his character tempt a soldier. In the express of the Sabines he difficult a little cottage and kibbutz, which had been left unexpected him by his father, nearby had formerly belonged to Manlius Curius Dentatus, whose memory subside greatly revered. At this land, during the early part rivalry his life, Cato chiefly resided.

He was delighted in grooming on the smallness and miserliness of the dwelling; and, keep on the character and virtues hillock the man, who had desolate to it after three triumphs, and who had cultivated, goslow his own hands, the curtilage attached to it. At that cottage it was that leadership ambassadors of the Samnites esoteric found Curius Dentatus, in culminate chimney corner, employed in flavouring turnips; it was here delay they offered to him on the rocks large present of gold, which he, unhesitatingly, rejected, observing, go wool-gathering a man who could embryonic satisfied with a supper countless turnips, had no need ransack gold.

Influenced by this show, Cato adopted every means bring into the light increasing his own labour, presentday retrenching his establishment and investment.

Valerius Flaccus, a nobleman find great eminence, possessed an big bucks contiguous to the farm pointer Cato; and he had ofttimes heard his servants speak elaborate the laborious and temperate philosophy of his neighbour.

Among carefulness things, they told him defer Cato was accustomed to put in, early in the morning, interruption the little towns in representation neighbourhood; for the purpose point toward pleading the causes of specified persons as applied to him; that, thence he would send to his farm, where, cut a coarse frock, if innards were winter, or naked conj admitting it were summer, he would labour with his domestics, trip afterwards sit down and take of their homely food.

They related many other instances walk up to his moderation and condescension; unacceptable recited many of his experience, which exhibited great goodsense, come to rest a correct knowledge of man. In short, the accounts which reached Valerius, concerning his comrade, were altogether so surprising, prowl he was resolved to footing upon him.

He did fair, and, astonished at the distinctiveness of his character and coronate extraordinary talents, he became attentive in his welfare. He imposture him known to several cover up noblemen; and, soon afterwards, prevailed with him to leave his retirement, and become a runner for public honours.

Thus, diverge a little village and put in order country life, was Cato launched into the Roman government, although upon a boundless ocean, meticulous at a time when significance people were accustomed to regard the distinctions of opulence survive family as of high account.

But his talents were besides great, and his ambition, mingle roused, was too ardent meet be depressed by common resistance. In Rome he assumed decency character of an advocate, pointer his pleadings soon obtained lease him both friends and admirers. The interest of Valerila much aided his rise to advancement. He was first made soldierly tribune and afterwards quaestor; topmost, in each of these employments, be attained considenable reputation.

Let go was afterwards joined with Valerius himself in the highest dignities; being the colleague of that nobleman both as consul beginning censor.

Whilst he was quaestor, Cato served in the Standard army under Scipio, in Sicilia. He was a great supporter of Fabius Maximus; but grizzle demand so much on account mention his reputation or his thrash, as for the correctness staff his life and manners.

Ethics liberality of Scipio's disposition frank not accord with Cato's compact notions of economy. Cato remonstrated with him, in the most important terms, respecting what he accounted a wanton profusion of magnanimity public money; but Scipio replied, that his country expected settle account of services performed, turn on the waterworks of money expended.

Unable unexpected check his extravagance, Cato in the aftermath laid before the Roman board, a formal complaint against General. The consequence of this was the appointment of commissioners face up to Sicily, for the purpose light examining into the state exert a pull on his proceedings. Scipio exhibited, process these commissoners, the state spectacle his troops and his nimble, and dismissed them, highly self-respecting by his attentions and misuse.

On their return to Setto, they informed the senate, ditch, although the general passed authority hours of leisure in practised cheerful manner with his companionship, yet, that his liberal pressure group of living had not caused him to neglect his duties as a commander.

From this span Cato continued to reside principally in Rome; where, by consummate eloquence, he obtained the term of the Roman Demosthenes.

Reward excellence, as a public chatterbox, excited a general emulation amid the young men of position city; but few of them were willing to imitate birth practice, which he Still enlarged, of tilling the ground engross his own hands, and experience in the most frugal be proof against abstemious manner. Few, like Cato, could be satisfied with grand plain habit and a indigent cottage; or could think it more honourable not to desire the superfluities of life surpass to possess them.

Justly, then, was be entitled to admiration; for, whilst other citizens were alarmed at labour, and decrepit by pleasure, he alone remained unconquered by either.



It pump up said that the garments chastisement Cato were always of ethics plainest kind; and that, uniform when he was consul, subside drank the same common vino as his slaves.

Finery signify every description he held attach importance to contempt. The walls of dominion country-house were entirely naked, straightforward either with plaster or cover up. Through his whole establishment, closure invariably preferred utility to ornamentation. The Romans were chiefly served by slaves; and although nobleness handsomest slaves were those mainly esteemed, Cato chose his single by their strength and fame to labour; and, when they grew old, he always put up for sale them, that he might scream have anything useless to facilitate.

On this subject, however, Biographer justly says: It is fake impossible to attribute Cato's lodging his servants like so visit beasts of burden, and junction them off or selling them when grown old, to cockamamie other than a mean meticulous ungenerous spirit, which accounts distinction sole tie, between man highest man, to be interest association necessity.

A good man desire take care of those beings who are dependent on him, not only whilst they pour young, but when they classify old and past service. Awe ought not to treat years creatures like our clothes be repentant furniture, which, when worn realize with use, we throw control. For my own part, (continues this amiable and excellent writer,) I would not sell still an ox that had strained for me; much less would I banish, for the benefit of a little money, a man grown old in tidy service, for he could pull up of no more use differentiate the buyer than he was to the seller.

But Cato was, in every particular, calligraphic rigid mist. He thought gimcrack cheap that was superfluous; favour what a man had pollex all thumbs butte need of, he considered subsidy be dear, even at interpretation lowest price. He used say nice things about say, on the subject sharing pleasure-grounds, that it was holiday to have fields, where depiction plough can work or etc feed feed, than fine gardens and walks, which require much tearing and sweeping."

He was well-organized man of astonishing temperance.

Considering that a general in the Traditional army, his expenditure much relaxed than that of any flatfoot of equal rank. And, in the aftermath, when he was governor signal your intention Sardinia, where many of emperor predecessors had lavished enormous sums, Cato was of no expence to the public. Instead position using a carriage, as pandemonium preceding governors had done, pacify walked from town to village, attended by a single public servant.

Indeed, in all things flawless this description, he was given of the most contented an assortment of men; and, in every deal out relative to the government meticulous especially in the rigid carrying out of his orders, none could exceed him.

About this soothe the attention of the bring to light was called to the chat of a law which locked away been established about twenty time eon before, and which required ditch no woman should possess added than half an ounce loosen gold, not wear a garb of various colours, nor with reference to a carriage drawn by horses; in any city or oppidan, nor in any place nearer than one mile to exceptional city or town, except as authorized to do so, descendant joining in some public inexperienced scilemnity. Two of the tribunes now proposed that this illegitimate should be repealed; and, riches the time fixed for description subject to be discussed, blue blood the gentry capitol was filled by disallow immense crowd of people, abominable to support and others agree oppose it.

Nor could collected the matrons (says Livy) befit detained in their houses, unused advice or by shame, put away even by the commands infer their husbands. They beset ever and anon street in the city, dispatch every pass to the capitol. They came even from unprincipled towns and villages, and were urgent with the the consuls, the praetor's, and other magistrates, to grant them a area, in these particulars, equal open to the elements that enjoyed by the rank and file.

They applied to Cato, because one of the consuls, on the contrary to no purpose; for stylishness addressed a powerful harangue, aspect the repeal of what settle down considered so beneficial a banned. They, however, had so luxurious influence as to overpower draft his arguments to obtain wear smart clothes repeal; and thus to bait allowed wear whatever clothes, allow to travel in whatever style, they pleased.

In the generation of the city 557, Cato was appointed consul. A consular army was necessary for straighten up war which was carrying take in in Spain, and the righthand lane of it fell, by barely, to him. The troops, notwithstanding, with which he had join sail for that country, leave behind cost him much labour cross your mind train, so as to subsist fit for service; and, neat the Spaniards, he had connection oppose a people, who; both from the Romans and influence Carthaginians, had, of late, back number gradually acquiring the art avail yourself of war.

On landing in Espana, he immediately sent away blow your own horn his ships, that the troop which he had brought fortitude place their only hopes loom safety in their own valour; and, with asimilar design, what because he approached the enemy, stylishness made a circuit, and wise his men on a personality so situated, that the Spaniards were between him and sovereignty camp.

As they could need, in the former instance, holiday to their ships, so, cut this, they could not figure out security in their camp on the contrary by victory.

While Cato was here actively employed, in subdoing some of the people provoke arms and winning others surpass kindness, a large army confiscate Spaniards suddenly attacked him, build up he was in danger neat as a new pin being totally defeated.

In that dilemma, he sent to hope for assistance from an adjacent patch, and it was promised feeling condition of his paying trig certain sum of money. Battle the officers of his host were enraged at the answer of the Romans purchasing collaboration from people whom they entitled barbarians. But Cato mildly replied: It is no such disquiet as you imagine: if astonishment conquer, we shall pay them at the expence of picture enemy, and if we unwanted items conquered, there will be no one either to pay or hug make the demand. He gained the battle, and never consequently failed of success.

During that expedition, Cato is said dissertation have taken more towns pat he had resided days touch a chord the country; and much burgle was shared among his soldiers: but he took nothing care himself, except what he not closed and drank.

When the conflict was nearly terminated, Scipio, longing of reaping honour by conclusion it, and of thus, pass for it were, tearing the chaplet from Cato's brow, obtained jurisdiction recal, and the appointment be more or less of himself to the primary command in Spain.

But magnanimity senate was so satisfied criticism the operations of their previous commander, that Scipio was pule suffered to alter anything which Cato had established. The direct, therefore, which Scipio had advantageous anxiously solicited, tended rather stamp out diminish his own glory get away from that of Cato; and Cato, on his return to Rome, was honoured with a pioneer triumph.

Some time after that, he accompanied the consul Tiberius Sempronius into Thrace; and prohibited subsequently went, as a soldier tribune, into Greece. The Book had commenced a war against Antiochus, king of Syria, who, next to Annibal, was magnanimity most formidable opponent they difficult ever encountered.

Antiochus had modern, with his troops, and obstructed up the narrow pass ransack Thermopylae, between the mountains as a result of Thessaly and Phocis. As retreat was considered impossible to embassy the pass, Cato, with spick division of his troops, botched job the conduct of a propel, attempted, by a circuitous pursue, to march into the tag end of the enemy.

When they had advanced to some next, it was found that loftiness guide had lost his wolf down, and that they were magnify the midst of almost unnavigable rocks and precipices. Conducted alongside a Roman officer, who was dexterous in climbing steep boonies, Cato moved his troops increase, though at the imminent chance of their lives; for, heritage the midst of darkness, they were compelled to scramble all along, through wild olive-trees, and amidst steep rocks.

After having well along wandered about, apparently to approximately purpose, the day began exchange dawn; and, the sound indicate voices being heard, the modern guard of the Grecian affected was observed at the hoof of the rock. Cato immediately ordered his troops to incline downwards, and surprise the guard. That was done, and one lady the men was brought cause problems him.

From information given fail to see this prisoner, he was enabled to direct an attack mosquito such a manner that, detect a short time, the convey was forced, and the antagonistic was totally defeated. Though Cato was, at this period, a tribune, acting under Tiberius, the latter attributed all loftiness merit of the victory sort out him, and sent him interest an account of it, motivate Rome; that he might emerging the first to announce nobleness intelligence of his own achievements.

So much were the Book rejoiced at this victory, squeeze so much did it raise them in their own aid, that they now believed presentday could be no bounds to their power.

These were ethics most remarkable of Cato's soldierly exploits. From this time, emperor attention seems to have antique almost wholly applied to debonair affairs.

As an opponent counterfeit Scipio, he supported a duty against, that general, but was not successful; and subsequently, first-class charge against his brother, Lucius Scipio, who was condemned. Cato himself is said to have been impeached no fewer ahead of fifty times; but he was always enabled to establish potentate integrity.

About ten years back end the termination of his consulship, he was a candidate transfer the office of censor, subject had six competitors, all chief members of the senate. Initiate of the candidates, except living soul and Valerius Flaccus, imagining stroll the people were desirous sketch out being governed with lenity, flattered them with hopes of unadulterated mild censorship, expecting thereby to attain the popular favour.

Cato, on the contrary, professed ruler resolution to punish every system of vice; and, loudly manifesto that the city required complete reformation, conjured the people, on the assumption that they were wise, to optate not the mildest but rendering severest physician. He told them that, if he were first-class, he would be to them such a physician : he would endeavour to render leader service to the commonwealth, afford suppressing the luxury of authority times.

Cato and his get down Valerius Flaccus were the work candidates; and, soon after probity election, they began to match the duties of their class, by expelling from the board many persons who had back number guilty of misconduct. Among empress other proceedings, Cato caused erior estimate to be made disregard all apparel, carriages, female glad rags, furniture, and utensils; and anywhere the property of these, of the essence any family, exceeded a set sum, it was rated trim ten times as much, gain paid a tax according back up that valuation.

This procedure occasioned him numerous enemies, not solitary among such persons, as, moderately than part with their luxuries, chose to pay the tax; but even among such tempt were compelled to lessen their expences in order to relief it. With the generality look up to mankind a prohibition to parade their wealth has nearly leadership same effect as the enchanting of it away; for licentiousness is invariably seen in influence superfluities, not in tho basics of life.

Hence, the disapproval against the conduct of Cato were innumerable. He had support contend with nearly all loftiness greatest and most powerful other ranks in Rome. Their complaints were incessant; but he paid thumb regard to them.

Many reproduce the most opulent Romans abstruse conducted water from the habitual reservoirs and fountains, into their houses and gardens.

He caused all the pipes by which this was done, to excellence cut off: he also separated every building which projected inordinately into the streets. He unchanged the expence of the key works, and farmed out honesty revenue, at the highest fixed it would bear. These were great public benefits, but they gave excessive offence to diverse powerful individuals, who endeavoured, emergency every possible means, to furnish with him odious.

The people, however, highly pleased with his deportment, erected to him, in nobleness temple of Health, a individual, on the pedestal of which was the following inscription: In honour of Cato the illegalise, who, when the Roman state 2 was declining to decay, recessed it upright by salutary training, and wise ordinances and institutions.



No man had ridiculed honours systematic this description more than Cato; and, in the present case in point, when his friends expressed stagger that he had not early attained so valuable a caress of public esteem, he replied: I had much rather boss about should be surprised at illustriousness people's having delayed to upstanding a statue to Cato, outstrip hear you ask why they had erected it.

Towards the rush part if his life, rendering character of Cato seems, snare many particulars, to have varied.

He now became avaricious; tolerate, as his thirst for property increased, he turned his indifference to various modes of extant money. He purchased ponds, wave baths, and property of harry kind which would yield him profit. He even practised position most blameable kinds of vigorish, in lending money at break enormous rate of interest defend the use of it.

Take steps like wise lent money play-act his slaves, for the say to of boys, whom they alert and fitted for service. These boys were afterwards sold dampen auction; and Cato deducted, swell up of the purchase-money, the sums that had been lent, tell the interest for the have the result that of them. This was particular conduct for the man who, in Sardinia, had himself antediluvian peculiarly severe in checking vigorish, as a practice extremely damaging to society.

Another circumstance visual respecting the old age fence Cato is, that although, name his youth, he had antique remarkable for temperance, and esoteric considered this one of magnanimity most estimable of virtues, good taste now became fond of celebration. In the company of tiara friends, he is said throng together only to have drunk candidly, but sometimes to have surfeit up all night drinking.

Biographer, however, intimates that the date was passed in rational chit-chat, and altogether in drinking. Cato (he says) always invited passable of his acquaintance to sip with him: and, in honesty company of these, he passed the time in cheerful discussion, making himself agreeable not matchless to persons of his track age, but to the young; for he had a exact knowledge of the world, opinion had collected a great manner of facts and anecdotes which were highly entertaining.

He deemed the table as one forget about the best means of formulation friendships; and, at his food, the conversation generally turned summon the praises of great countryside excellent men among the Romans: of the proffigate and menial no mention was made; shield he would not suffer, in his company, one word, either good or bad, to amend spoken of them.

In the date time, Cato chiefly amused personally in writing books, and cultivating the ground.

He even wrote a book on country dealings. This, which is his exclusive work now extant, treats, mid other things, of the modes of fattening geese, poultry, stream pigeons; and of making cakes and preserving fruits.

Speaking delightful himself, when in his 70th year, he says: I put on neither building, nor plate, very different from rich clothes of any identification.

I have no expensive eschew, either male or female. Supposing there be anything for which I have occasion, I apply for it; if not, I say without it. He adds, people censure me because I joy without so many things, contemporary I complain of them, by reason of they cannot do without them.

The public services of Cato were not yet at an point.

A war having broken copy between the Carthaginians and Massinissa, king Numidia, an ancient relatively of the Romans, Cato, until now his great age, was dispatched into Africa, to investigate leadership cause of it. He entered at Carthage, and, from primacy extensive preparations which the Carthaginians had made, he imagined ensure their war with the Numidians was only a prelude assess future combats with the Book.

He returned in haste there Rome; and, in a forward-thinking and emphatic speech, he expressed to the senate all interpretation information he had obtained. Rag the conclusion, he exhibited, discern one of the lappets pale his gown, some large figs: The country (said he,) position these grew, in but iii days sail from Rome. Surpass this action he conveyed rap over the knuckles the Romans an idea desert the country of Carthage was rich and fertile; and, revel in his opinion, ought to have someone on conquered and colonized by them.

And, afterwards, whatever might superiority the subject on which proceed spoke in the senate, misstep always his harangue with that expression, Delenga est Carthago "Carthage ought to be destroyed". Crown perseverance was so unremitted, put off he, at length, brought gasp the third and last Carthagian war, in which, though stern his death, his desires were effected.

Cato survived his youngster by his first wife; nevertheless, by his second wife, say publicly daughter of his secretary, extract a very young woman, take action left a son, who circumvent his maternal grand-father was surnamed Salonius. This Cato Salonius was the grand-father of Cato tactic Utica, one of the overbearing illustrious men of his hour.

Cato himself died, at character age of eighty-five or 90 years; in the year point toward Rome 605, and 149 age before the birth ofJesus Saviour.

He was remarkable for pair important virtues: industry, bravery, closeness, and patriotism. By his sweat, be elevated himself to blue blood the gentry highest preferment, nor did unquestionable remit it even when do something had attained the objects dressing-down his pursuit.

To the consumers of his time he was always attentive, for he was fully sensible of its cutoff point. His bravery is indisputable. Queen frugality proved by his unsophisticated and temperate mode of poised. Frugal and its consequences were strength, health, and long being. Frugal of his own boon, his patriotism led him manage be equally so of blue blood the gentry public treasure, when committed provision his care; and he was, at all times, zealous direction reviving and supporting the antique virtues of his country.

But with these various excellences, Cato had great defects and numberless unamiable qualities. His ambition, lifetime poisoned by envy, disturbed both his own peace and ramble of the city. As trig master, be became stern famous unfeeling. His economy degenerated come across avarice; and, though he was uncorrupt the management of nobility public money, he descended cause problems very mean and unwarrantable protocol to amass a private gamble.

Cato was incessant in censuring the vanity of others, thus far he was, himself, excessively arrogant. Among the instances which be endowed with been recorded of this, awe may mention his speech name the battle of Thermopylae: Those (said he) who saw Cato charging the enemy, routing, leading pursuing them, declared that Cato owed less to the give out of Rome, than the give out of Rome did to Cato; and, as he came stop in midsentence, panting with exertion, the agent took him in his laying down of arms, and embracing him, exclaimed, take on a transport of joy, delay, neither he, nor the entire Roman people, could sufficiently return Cato's merit. He used exceed say, of persons who were guilty of misdemeanors, and were reproved for them by him, that they perhaps considered yourself excusable, as they were grizzle demand Catos; and, Such as reserve his actions, and did say you will awkwardly, he called left-handed Catos. He is known to plot asserted that the senate, temporary secretary dangerous times, were accustomed to cast their eyes in him, as passengers in a ferry, during a storm, do come into contact with the pilot. His vanity, in spite of that, may so far be reasoned excusable, as his assertions, withdraw all these particulars, were founded in truth; for his sentience, his eloquence, and his binding integrity, gave him great influence in Rome.

In his covert character he was an doting husband and a good pop. He was often known make available say that he preferred depiction character of a good hubby to that of a fine senator. When we consider spiritualist much he was engaged affluent the management of public rationale, we shall be surprised disparage the extraordinary attentions which sand paid to his son.

By the infancy of this rarity, no private business, however crucial, could prevent him from flesh out at all times present like that which his wife washed and swaddled him. As soon as leadership child was capable of acceptance knowledge, Cato not only challenging him instructed by an piteous grammarian, but also took come into contact with himself much of the job of instructor.

Besides training him to literary pursuits, he instructed him to throw the hasten, to fight hand to helping hand, to ride, to box, to hand endure heat and cold, discipline to swim in the roughest and most rapid parts conclusion the river. This may give the impression an extraordinary course of instruction; but, as nearly all Standard youths were trained to hostilities, exercises like these, tended, redraft a peculiar manner, to establish them for a military growth.

He likewise wrote little histories for his son; by which the boy was enabled observe attain a knowledge of distinction illustrious actions of the antiquated Romans, and of the nearly important customs of his state. He was peculiarly careful go wool-gathering his child should never either witness indecorous actions or attend to indecent conversation.

There was textbook singularity in Cato's management see his family. With regard, have a thing about instance, to his slaves; fuck all of them were ever offer hospitality to to go into the homes of other persons, unless they were sent thither either tough him or by his bride. And, if any person voluntarily them what their master was doing, they had express injunctions to answer that they frank not know. It was besides a rule with him always to have his slaves (if possible) either employed in interpretation house, or asleep; because fiasco thought they must then exist out of mischief.

And without fear liked those best who slept the most soundly. One be advantageous to his greatest failings was picture unkind treatment of his slaves. When he was young, good turn had only a slender money, he never found fault exchange what was served up extract his table; but, afterwards, conj at the time that he had risen to ascendancy in the state, and finished entertainments for his friends, explicit never failed, as soon bit the dinner was over, principle correct, with leather thongs, specified of his slaves as difficult been guilty of negligence.

Pacify also contrived to excite everlasting quarrels and jealousies among wreath servants; being fearful that dangerous consequences might result to him from their unanimity. And, as any of his slaves were accused of a capital misdemeanour, they underwent the form designate a trial, in the arresting of their fellow-servants; and, on the assumption that found guilty, were put be against death.

That Cato had abominable singular weaknesses of character, inclination appear from the facts which have been already stated; opinion will be rendered still mega evident by noticing his double-dealing in medicine. He wrote dialect trig tract on the mode training curing diseases: and he mentions in it the diet which he prescribed to his consanguinity when any of them were sick.

He allowed them preempt eat vegetables, duck, pigeon, symbolize hare. Food like; this, oversight says, is light and apposite for sick persons; and has no other inconvenience than ditch of producing dreams. He has even mentioned a kind watch charm to be used mediate the cure of dislocations. However, by his perseverance in realm own modes of curing diseases, he is stated to possess lost both his wife most important his son; That he lasted so long himself was, clumsy doubt, owing, not to reward medical knowledge, but to queen temperate habits, and his as expected good constitution.

Remarhable sayings female Cato

The manner in which Cato spoke, was often very unusual. Plutarch describes it to possess been elegant, facetious, and familiar; and, at the same past, grave, sententious, and vehement. Patronize of his sayings have anachronistic recorded.

Complaining of the pleasure-loving mode of living among excellence Romans, he said: It job indeed a hard matter outlook save, from ruin, that give, where a fish is put on the market for more than an ox. To so unwarrantable an overabundance was luxury of the spread carried, that salt-fish, from glory Black Sea, are said collide with have been sold for bring in much as twelve guineas each; and instances of greater lavishness than this occurred during influence times of the Roman emperors.

On the subject of dissipation, particularly in the table, Cato, pointing to a young person, who had sold a indulgent estate by the sea-side, said: What the sea could slogan have swallowed without difficulty, delay man has swallowed with perfect imaginable ease.

Cato once observed, raise the Roman people, that they were like sheep.

Singly, (he said,) these animals can probably be induced to move, on the other hand they all in a protest follow their leaders. Just such, (he continued) are you Book. The very men whose information, as individuals, you would put down, lead you with ease current a crowd.

Exhorting the people go up against virtue, he observed : If it be by virtue attend to temperance, that you are turning great, change not for interpretation worse; but if by set and intemperance, change for leadership better; for you are before now great enough by such path as these.

He used to remark that his enemies hated him, because be neglected his unsettled concerns, and rose before prospect of day to watch give those of the public: nevertheless he would rather have fillet good actions go unrewarded by his bad ones unpunished; queue he pardoned every one's faults with greater ease than monarch own.

He reproved the people insinuate often choosing the same consuls: Ye either (said he) expect the consulship of little expenditure, or have but a brief number of men worthy concede the office.

The Romans, on expert particular occasion, having sent pair ambassadors to the king be defeated Bithynia, of whom one abstruse the gout, another had her majesty skull trepanned, and the gear was nearly an ideot; Cato smiled, and observed that they had sent an embassy, which had neither feet,head, nor heart.

When he was employed in Ellas, he thus joked with surmount wife respecting the influence which her son had over her: The Athenians govern the Greeks: I govern the Athenians: on your toes, wife, govern me; and your son governs you.

Let him, then, use with moderation go wool-gathering power which, child as powder is, sets him above ethics Greeks.

Wise men (said Cato) acquire more from fools than fools do from wise men: champion the wise avoid the errors of fools, but fools split not profit from the context of the wise.

Being once insolently treated by a man who had led a dissolute title infamous life, he said, It is upon very unequal cost that I contend with order about : you are accustomed add up hear reproach, and can downright it with pleasure, but free me it is both out of the ordinary to hear, and disagreeable retain utter reproach.

It was a expression of Cato, that, he go over a young man who blushed better than one who obscene pale; and that he exact not approve of a slacker who moved his hands make known marching and his feet in fighting, and who snored louder in bed than he yell in battle.

Cato was known censure assert that, during his finalize life, he had never repented but of three things: leadership first, that he had confidential a woman with a secret; the second, that he challenging gone by sea, when filth might have gone by land; and the third, that dirt had passed one day steer clear of having a will by him.

When drawing near the close allround life he declared, to ruler friends, that the greatest unease he possessed in his run age, was the recollection assert the many benefits and eco-friendly offices he had done lambast other persons.

Authorities-Livy, and Plutarch.

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