312 ARISTIDES.

in that of his trophies ; as is evident from the following story. Callias, the torchbearer, was related to him : and was prosecuted by his enemies in a capital cause, in which, after they had slightly argued the matters on which they indicted him, they proceeded, beside the point, to address the judges: "You know," said they, "Aristides, the son of Lj'simachus, who is the admiration of all Greece. In what a condition do 3-ou think his fomily is in at his house, when you see him appear in public in such a threadbare cloak ? Is it not j^robable that one who, out of doors, goes thus exposed to the cold, must want food and other necessaries at home ? Callias, the wealthiest of the Athenians, does nothing to relieve either him or his wife and children in their poverty, though he is his own cousin, and has made use of him in many cases, and often reaped advantage by his interest with you." But Callias, perceiving the judges were moved more particu- larly by this, and were exasperated against him, called in Aristides, requiring him to testify that when he frequently offered him divers presents, and entreated him to accept them, he had refused, answei'ing, that it became him bet- ter to be proud of his poverty than Callias of his Avealth : since there are many to be seen that make a good, or a bad use of riches, but it is difficult, comparatively, to meet with one who supports povertj^ in a noble spirit ; those only should be ashamed of it who incurred it against their wills. On Aristides deposing these facts in favor of Callias, there was none who heard them, that went not away desirous rather to be poor like Aristides, than rich as Callias. Thus iEschines, the scholar of Socrates, writes. But Plato declares, that of all the great and renowned men -in the city of Athens, he was the only one worthy of consideration ; for Themistocles, Cimon, and Pericles filled the city with porticoes, treasure, and many other vain things, but Aristides guided his public life by the rule of