hired for the sake of the republic, which was held together by my safety, he repressed all the attempts and madness of Publius Clodius. The justification, therefore, of profuse bounty is that it is either necessary or useful. Moreover, in these very cases the rule of mediocrity is the best. Lucius Philippus, indeed, the son of Quintus, a man in the highest degree illustrious for his great genius, used to boast that without any expense he had attained all the highest honors that could be obtained. Cotta said the same, and Curio. I myself, too, might in some degree boast on this subject; for considering the amplitude of the honors which I attained with all the votes in my own' year, too—a thing that happened to none of those whom I have just named the expense of my ædileship was certainly trifling.

These expenses also are more justifiable on walls, docks, ports, aqueducts, and all things which pertain to the service. of the state, though what is given as it were into our hands is more agreeable at present, yet these things are more acceptable to posterity. Theaters, porticos, new temples, I censure with more reserve for Pompey's sake, but the most learned men disapprove of them, as also this very Panætius, whom in these books I have closely followed, though not translated; and Demetrius Phalereus, who censures Pericles, the greatest man of Greece, because he lavished so much money on that glorious vestibule; but all this subject I have carefully discussed in these books which I have written upon Government. The whole plan, then, of such largesses is vicious in its nature, but necessitated by particular occasions, and even then ought to be accommodated to our means, and regulated by moderation.

XVIII. But in that second kind of munificence which proceeds from liberality, we ought in different cases to be affected in different manners. The case is different of him who is oppressed with misfortune, and of him who seeks to better his fortune without being in any adversity. Our

1 To be Quæstor, Ædile, Prætor, and Consul, the respective ages were 31, 38, 41, and 44 years. The man who was elected to an office at the carliest age at which he was entitled to offer himself a candidate for it was said to get it in his own year. Cicero got each of them in his own year.

2 Of the Acropolis.

benignity will require to be more prompt toward the distressed, unless perhaps they merit their distress; yet from those who desire to be assisted, uot that they may be relieved from affliction, but that they may ascend to a higher degree, we ought by no means to be altogether restricted, but to apply judgment and discretion in selecting proper persons. For Ennius observes well

"Benefactions ill bestowed, I deem malefactions."

But in that which is bestowed upon a worthy and grateful man there is profit, as well from himself as also from others; for liberality, when free from rashness, is most agreeable, and many applaud it the more earnestly on this account, because the bounty of every very exalted man is the common refuge of all. We should do our endeavor, then, that we may serve as many as possible with those benefits, the recollection of which may be handed down to their children and posterity, that it may not be in their power to be ungrateful; for all men detest one forgetful of a benefit, and they consider that an injury is done even to themselves by discouraging liberality, and that he who does so is the common enemy of the poor. And besides, that benignity is useful to the state by which captives are redeemed from slavery, and the poor are enriched. That it was indeed the common custom that this should be done by our order,' we see copiously described in the speech of Crassus. This kind of bounty, therefore, I prefer far before the munificent exhibition of shows. That is the part of dignified and great men-this of flatterers of the populace, tickling, as it were, with pleasures the levity of the multitude. It will, moreover, be expedient that a man, as he should be munificent in giving, so that he should not be harsh in exacting; and in every contract, in selling, buying, hiring, letting, to be just and good-natured to the vicinage and surrounding occupiers; conceding to many much that is his own right, but shunning disputes as far as he can conveniently, and I know not but even a little more than he can conveniently. For, to abate at times a little from our rights, is not only generous, but sometimes profitable also. But of our property, which it is truly disgraceful to allow to

1 The senatorial.

get dilapidated, care must be taken, but in such a way that the suspicion of shabbiness and avarice be avoided. For to be able to practice liberality, not stripping ourselves of our patrimony, is indeed the greatest enjoyment of wealth. Hospitality also has been justly recommended by Theophrastus. For, as it appears to me, indeed, it is very decorous that the houses of illustrious men should be open for illustrious guests. And that also brings credit to the state, that foreigners in our city should not fail of experiencing this species of liberality. It is, moreover, exceedingly useful to those who wish to be very powerful in an honorable way, to get the command over wealth and interest among foreign nations through their guests. Theophrastus, indeed, writes that Cymon at Athens practiced hospitality even toward his brethren of the Lacian tribe; for that he so directed and commanded his stewards, that all things should be supplied to any of them that should turn aside into his villa.

XIX. Now, those benefits which are bestowed out of our labor, not our money, are conferred as well upon the entire commonwealth, as upon individual citizens. For to give legal opinions, to assist with counsel, and to serve as many as we can with this kind of knowledge, tends very much to increase both our means and our interest. This, therefore, as well as many things about our ancestors, was noble, that the knowledge and interpretation of our most excellently constituted civil law was always in the highest repute; which, indeed, before this confusion of the present times, the nobles retained in their own possession. Now, like honors -like all the degrees of rank, so the splendor of this science is extinguished; and this is the more unmeet on this account, because it has happened at the very time when he' was in existence who far surpassed in this science all who went before, to whom also he was equal in dignity. This labor, then, is acceptable to many, and suited to bind men to us by benefits. But the talent of speaking being very closely connected with this art, is more dignified, more agreeable, and capable of higher ornament. For what is more excellent than eloquence, in the admiration of the hearers, or

1 Servius Sulpicius Rufus

in the expectation of those in need of its assistance, or in the gratitude of those who have been defended? To this, then, the first rank of civil dignity was given by our ancestors. Of an eloquent man, then, and one willingly laboring, and, what is according to the customs of our forefathers, defending the causes of many, both ungrudgingly and gratuitously, the benefits and patronage are very extensive.

The subject would admonish me that at this opportunity I should likewise deplore the discontinuance, not to call it the extinction, of eloquence, did I not apprehend lest I should appear to be making some complaint upon my own account. However, we see what orators are extinct, in how few there is promise, in how much fewer ability in how many presumption. But though all, or even many, can not be skillful in the law, or eloquent, yet it is in a man's power, by his exertions, to be of service to many, by asking benefits for them, commending them to judges and magistrates, watching the interests of others, entreating in their behalf those very advocates who either are consulted or defend causes. They who act thus, gain a great deal of influence, and their industry diffuses itself most extensively. Furthermore, they need not be admonished of this (for it is obvious), that they' take care to offend none while they are wishing to serve others. For oftentime they offend either those whom it is their duty or whom it is their interest not to offend. If unwittingly they do it, it is a fault of negligence; if knowingly, of rashness. It is necessary, too, that you make an apology, in whatever way you can, to those whom you unwillingly offend-how that which you did was of necessity, and that you could not do otherwise; and it will be necessary to make compensation to them for what injury you have inflicted by other efforts and good offices.

XX. But since, in rendering services to men, it is usual to look either to their character or their fortune, it is easy, indeed, to say, and so people commonly say, that in bestowing benefits they only attend to a man's character, not to his fortune. It is a fine speech; but pray is there any one who in rendering a service would not prefer the thanks of a rich and powerful man before the cause of a poor, though most worthy man? For in general our good-will is more inclined toward him from whom it appears that remuneration would

be easier and quicker. But we ought to consider more attentively what the nature of things is: for of course that poor man, if he be a good man, though he can not requite a kindness, can at least have a sense of it. Now it was well said, whoever said it, "that he who hath the loan of money, hath not repaid; and he who hath repaid, hath not the loan. But both he who hath requited kindness hath a sense of it, and he who hath a sense of it' hath requited." But they who consider themselves wealthy, honored, prosperous, do not wish even to be bound by a benefit. Moreover, they consider that they have conferred a favor when they themselves have received one, however great; and they also suspect that something is either sought or expected from them but they think it like death to them that they should need patronage, and be called clients. But, on the other hand, that poor man, because in whatever is done for him he thinks it is himself and not his fortune that is regarded, is anxious that he may be seen to be grateful, not only by him who has merited it from him, but also by those from whom he expects the like (for he needs it from many). Nor indeed does he magnify with words any favor of his own doing, if by chance he confers one, but rather undervalues it. And this is to be considered, that if you defend a man of power and fortune, the gratitude is confined to himself alone, or perhaps to his children; but if you defend a poor but worthy and modest man, all poor men who are not worthless (which is a vast multitude among the people) see a protection offered to themselves: wherefore, I think it better that a favor should be bestowed upon worthy persons than upon persons of fortune. We should by all means endeavor to satisfy every description of people. But if the matter shall come to competition, undoubtedly Themistocles is to be received as an authority, who, when he was consulted whether a man should marry his daughter to a worthy poor man, or to a rich man of less approved character, said, “I certainly would rather she married a man without money, than money withou:

a man."