The Thoughts of Marcus Aurelius - College of Stoic Philosophers

282 LJELIUS; OR,
ill
consequences could ensue, if the parties concerned were
absolutely perfect, and incapable of the least deviation
from the dictates of virtue and good sense. But in
settling the principles by which our conduct in this
respect ought to be regulated, we are not to form our
estimate by fictitious representations, but to consider
what history and experience teaches us that mankind
truly are, and to select for our imitation such real char
acters as seem to have approached the nearest to per
fection.
Tradition informs us that Papas ^Emilius and Caius
Luscinus, who were twice colleagues in the consular and
censorial offices, were united also in the strictest intimacy ;
and that Manius Curius and Titus Coruncanius lived with
them, and with each other, upon terms of the strictest
and most inviolable friendship. It may well, therefore,
be presumed (since there is not even the slightest reason
to suspect the contrary) that none of these illustrious
worthies ever made a proposal to his friend inconsistent
with the laws of honour, or that fidelity he had pledged
to his country. To urge that if
any overtures of that
nature had ever been made, they would certainly have
been rejected, and consequently must have been concealed
from public notice, is an objection by no means sufficient
to weaken the presumption, when the sanctity of manners
which distinguished these venerable persons shall be duly
considered ;
for to be capable of making such proposals
would be no less a proof of depravity than actually
consenting to them. Accordingly, we find that both
Carbo and Caius Cato, the friends of Tiberius Gracchus,
did not refuse to take a part in his
turbulent measures,
as his brother Caius, although he was not indeed a very
considerable actor in the scene at first, is now most
zealously engaged in the same unworthy cause.
Let it be established, therefore, as one of the most
sacred and indispensable laws of this connexion, never