Stoicism - College of Stoic Philosophers

THE CRITICS AND ENEMIES OF STOICISM. 10 1turned into a courtof criminal justice, before whichpolitical offenders were arraigned, he threw all hisinfluence into the scale of mercy, checkingas far aspossible the licence of the false informers, and theservile truckling of the judges to what they supposedto be the will of their Imperial master. But he carefullyabstained meanwhile from the bitterness ofpersonal attacks or needless parade of independence,while he raised the tone of senatorial self-respect byhis quiet dignity of manner, which neither courteddangernor flinched from it. In the interests ofhumanity he raised his voice among them againstthe cruel usages of the gladiatorial shows, whichencouraged the worst instincts of a ferocious mob.Other voices after his took up the cry, and kindliersentiments were gradually fostered, to temper thehardness of the pagan world.Another time we fiindhim defending the privileges of the House and theindependence of the provincial rulers against thecorrupt influence of powerful intriguers in theprovinces, who pretended to make or mar the officialcareer of any statesman, and even to determine thecourse of proceedings in the senate. His owncharacter, indeed, stood high above the whisper ofsuspicion. When some complained in Nero's hearingof his decision as arbitrator in a the trial, emperorreplied with bitterness, " I wish I were as sure of hisaffection for me as I am of his perfect equity as judge."But the time came at last when he could no longerhope to check the servility of the official classes,who vied with each other in the demonstrations of