greatest fomenter of envy； from which Aristides was wholly exempt；
Cato very subject to it。 Aristides assisted Themistocles in matters of
highest importance； and； as his subordinate officer； in a manner
raised Athens： Cato； by opposing Scipio； almost broke and defeated his
expedition against the Carthaginians； in which he overthrew
Hannibal； who till then was even invincible； and； at last； by
continually raising suspicions and calumnies against him； he chased
him from the city； and inflicted a disgraceful sentence on his brother
for robbing the state。
Finally； that temperance which Cato always highly cried up；
Aristides preserved truly pure and untainted。 But Cato's marriage；
unbecoming his dignity and age； is a considerable disparagement； in
this respect； to his character。 For it was not decent for him at
that age to bring home to his son and his wife a young woman； the
daughter of a common paid clerk in the public service： but whether
it were for his own gratification or out of anger at his son； both the
fact and the pretence were unworthy。 For the reason he pretended to
his son was false： for if he desired to get more as worthy children；
he ought to have married a well…born wife； not to have contented
himself； so long as it was unnoticed； with a woman to whom he was
not married； and； when it was discovered； he ought not to have
chosen such a father…in…law as was easiest to be got； instead of one
whose affinity might be honourable to him。
THE END