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1. Cato, who was of about the same years, Marcus,1
my son, as that Publius Scipio who first bore the
surname of Africanus, has given us the statement
that Scipio used to say that he was never less idle
than when he had nothing to do and never less
lonely than when he was alone. An admirable
sentiment, in truth, and becoming to a great and
wise man. It shows that even in his leisure hours
his thoughts were occupied with public business and
that he used to commune with himself when alone;
and so not only was he never unoccupied, but he
sometimes had no need for company. The two
conditions, then, that prompt others to idleness—
leisure and solitude—only spurred him on. I wish
I could say the same of myself and say it truly. But
if by imitation I cannot attain to such excellence of
character, in aspiration, at all events, I approach it as
nearly as I can; for as I am kept by force of armed
treason away from practical politics and from my
practice at the bar, I am now leading a life of leisure.
For that reason I have left the city and, wandering in
the country from place to place, I am often alone.
1 Preface: Scipio and Cicero.
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