A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

Character of Epaminondas 259
long as he could grapple with his adversary and contend
standing. But he spent most of his labor on martial
exercises.
To the strength of body thus acquired, were added many His
good qualities of the mind; for he was modest, prudent,
grave, wisely availing himself of opportunities, skilled in
war, brave in action, and possessed of remarkable courage.
He was so great a lover of truth that he would not tell a
falsehood even in jest; he was also master of his passions,
gentle in disposition,
and patient to a wonderful degree,
submitting to wrong not only from the people, but from
his own friends; he was a remarkable keeper of secrets, a
quality which is sometimes not less serviceable than eloquence;
and he was an attentive listener to others, because
he thought that by this means knowledge was most
easily acquired. Whenever he came into a company,
therefore, in which a discussion was going on concerning
government, or a conversation was being held on any
point in philosophy, he never went away till the discourse
was brought to its conclusion. He bore poverty so easily
that he received nothing from the state but glory. He
did not avail himself of the means of his friends to maintain
himself; but he often used his credit to relieve others,
moral
clifl.rs.ct6r
to such a degree that it might be thought all things were
in common between him and his friends; ....
He was of a patient disposition, and ready to endure His patience
wrongs from his countrymen, because he thought it a miiity.
species of impiety to show resentment towards his coun- jj ^
try. There are the following proofs. When the Thebans
from some feeling of displeasure towards him refused to
place him at the head of the army, a leader was chosen
who was ignorant of war, by whose mismanagement a
great multitude of soldiers was brought to such a condi-
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