Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to Himself - College of Stoic Philosophers

8 MARCUS ANTONINUS BOOK
was ready and generous in recognising any
real proficiency, in rhetoric for instance, or juris-
prudence, or national customs, or any other
subject ; and eager to assist any to shine in their
particular sphere of excellence. In everything
a loyal son of Rome, he did not in such matters
study appearances. He was free from caprice
or humours, constant in attachment to the same
places and the same things. After paroxysms
of headache, he would return fresh and vigorous
to his usual avocations. His official secrets were
few, the rare and occasional exceptions being
solely matters of public importance. He was
discerning and moderate in organising public
spectacles, in executing public works, in dis-
tribution of largess and the like ; always with
an eye to the actual need, rather than to the
popularity they brought. He never bathed at
odd hours, or took a passion for building ; never
set up for a connoisseur of eatables, of the texture
and tints of clothes, or of personal charms. His
dress came from Lorium where his country house
was, and was generally of Lanuvian wool. The
story of his conduct to the apologetic tax-collector
at Tusculum is a sample of his general demeanour.