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

Character of Alexander 281
observant of his duty to the deity.
Over bodily pleasures
he maintained perfect self-control; in mental pleasures he
was insatiable in none but praise. He was exceedingly
clever in discovering what was to be done, while others
were still uncertain. From the observation of facts he
could with rare success conjecture what was likely to
happen.
His fame was enhanced by his ability to rouse
courage in his soldiers, to fill them with hopes of success,
and to dispel their fear in the midst of danger by his own
freedom from alarm.
still
Therefore what he had to do while
uncertain of the result he performed with the utmost
boldness. He was clever, too, in getting the start of his
enemies, and in snatching from them their advantage by
secretly forestalling
them, before anyone even feared for
the result. Remarkably steadfast in keeping the agreements
and settlements he had made, he was equally secure
from being entrapped by deceivers.
Lastly he spent
little on his own pleasures but was very bountiful in expense
for the benefit of others.
Eratosthenes blames the system of those who would Breadth of
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divide all mankind into Greeks and Barbarians, and like-
wise those who recommended Alexander to treat the Greeks strabo i. 4. 9.
as friends, but the Barbarians as enemies. He suggests, as
a better course, to distinguish them according to their
virtues and their vices,
"since amongst the Greeks there
are many worthless characters, and many highly civilized
are to be found amongst the Barbarians; witness the
Indians and Ariani, or still better the Romans and Carthaginians,
whose political system is so beautifully perfect.
Alexander, considering this, disregarded the advice which
had been offered him, and patronized without distinction
any man he considered to be deserving.