[66]
Very true, unless some other sounder opinion convinces you. That
great Scipio was a man of this sort, who had no objection to do the same thing
that you do; to keep a most learned man, a man of almost divine wisdom, in his house; by whose
conversation and precepts, although they were the very same that you are so fond of; he was
nevertheless not made more severe, but (as I have heard said by old men) he was rendered most
merciful. And who was more mild in his manners than Caius Lucius? who was more agreeable than
he? (devoted to the same studies as you;) who was more virtuous or more wise than he? I might
say the same of Lucius Philus, and of Caius Gallus; but I will conduct you now into your own
house. Do you think that there was any man more courteous, more agreeable; any one whose
conduct was more completely regulated by every principle of virtue and politeness, than Cato,
your great-grandfather? And when you were speaking with truth and dignity of his virtue, you
said that you had a domestic example to imitate. That indeed is an example set up for your
imitation in your own family; and the similarity of nature ought rather to influence you who
are descended from him than any one of us; but still that example is as much an object for my
imitation as for yours. But if you were to add his courtesy and affability to your own wisdom
and impartiality, I will not say that those qualities which are now most excellent will be
made intrinsically better, but they will certainly be more agreeably seasoned.
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