MARCUS CATO. 341

at those wl>o loved such kind of things, saying, that they did not see that they were taking pride in the workman- ship of brass-founders and painters ; whereas the citizens bore about his best Hkeness in their breasts. And when any seemed to wonder, that he should have never a statue, while many ordinary persons had one ; " I would," said he, " much rather be asked, why I have not one, than why I have one." In short, he would not have any hon- est citizen endure to be praised, except it might prove advantageous to the commonwealth. Yet still he had passed the highest commendation on himself; for he tells us that those who did any thing wrong, and were found fault with, used to say, it was not worth while to blame them ; for they were not Catos. He also adds, that they who awkwardly mimicked some of his actions, were called left-handed Catos; and that the senate in perilous times would cast their eyes on him, as upon a pilot in a ship, and that often when he was not present they put off affairs of greatest consequence. These things are indeed also testified of him by others ; for he had a great author- ity in the city, alike for his life, his eloquence, and his age. He was also a good father, an excellent husband to his wife, and an extraordinary economist ; and as he did not manage his affairs of this kind carelessly, and as things of little moment, I think I ought to record a little further whatever was commendable in him in these points. He married a wife more noble than rich ; being of opinion, that the rich and the high-born are equally haughty and proud ; but that those of noble blood, would be more ashamed of base things, and consequently more obedient to their hus- bands in all that was fit and right. A man who beat his wife or child, laid violent hands, he said, on what was most sacred; and a good husband he reckoned worthy of more praise than a great senator ; and he admired the