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always confiding in his own power and good fortune。
Cato was made praetor the following year； but； it seems； he did
not do more honour and credit to the office by his signal integrity
than he disgraced and diminished it by his strange behaviour。 For he
would often come to the court without his shoes； and sit upon the
bench without any undergarment； and in this attire would give judgment
in capital causes； and upon persons of the highest rank。 It is said；
also； he used to drink wine after his morning meal； and then
transact the business of his office； but this was wrongfully
reported of him。 The people were at that time extremely corrupted by
the gifts of those who sought offices； and most made a constant
trade of selling their voices。 Cato was eager utterly to root this
corruption out of the commonwealth； he therefore persuaded the
senate to make an order； that those who were chosen into any office；
though nobody should accuse them； should be obliged to come into the
court； and give account upon oath of their proceedings in their
election。 This was extremely obnoxious to those who stood for the
offices； and yet more to those vast numbers who took the bribes。
Insomuch that one morning； as Cato was going to the tribunal； a
great multitude of people flocked together； and with loud cries and
maledictions reviled him； and threw stones at him。 Those that were
about the tribunal presently fled； and Cato himself being forced
thence； and jostled about in the throng； very narrowly escaped the
stones that were thrown at him； and with much difficulty got hold of
the rostra； where； standing up with a bold and undaunted
countenance； he at once mastered the tumult； and silenced the clamour；
and addressing them in fit terms for the occasion； was heard with
great attention； and perfectly quelled the sedition。 Afterwards； on
the senate commending him for this； 〃But I；〃 said he； 〃do not
commend you for abandoning your praetor in danger； and bringing him no
assistance。〃
In the meantime； the candidates were in great perplexity； for
every one dreaded to give money himself； and yet feared lest his
competitors should。 At length they agreed to lay down one hundred
and twenty…five thousand drachmas apiece； and then all of them to
canvass fairly and honestly； on condition； that if any one was found
to make use of bribery he should forfeit the money。 Being thus agreed；
they chose Cato to keep the stakes； and arbitrate the matter； to him
they brought the sum concluded on； and before him subscribed the
agreement。 The money he did not choose to have paid for them； but took
their securities who stood bound for them。 Upon the day of election；
he placed himself by the tribune who took the votes； and very
watchfully observing all that passed； he discovered one who had broken
the agreement； and immediately ordered him to pay his money to the
rest。 They； however； commending his justice highly； remitted the
penalty； as thinking the discovery a sufficient punishment。 It raised；
however； as much envy against Cato as it gained him reputation； and
many were offended at his thus taking upon himself the whole authority
of the senate； the courts of judicature； and the magistracies。 For
there is no virtue； the honour and credit for which procures a man
more odium than that of justice； and this； because more than any
other； it acquires a man power and authority among the common
people。 For they only honour the valiant and admire the wise； while in
addition they also love just men； and put entire trust and
confidence in them。 They fear the bold man； and mistrust the clever
man； and moreover think them rather beholding to their natural
complexion； than to any goodness of their will； for these excellences；
they look upon valour as a certain natural strength of the mind； and
wisdom as a constitutional acuteness； whereas a man has it in his
power to be just； if he have but the will to be so； and therefore
injustice is thought the most dishonourable； because it is least
excusable。
Cato upon this account was opposed by all the great men； who thought
themselves reproved by his virtue。 Pompey especially looked upon the
increase of Cato's credit as the ruin of his own power； and
therefore continually set up men to rail against him。 Among these
was the seditious Clodius； now again united to Pompey； who declared
openly； that Cato had conveyed away a great deal of the treasure
that was found in Cyprus； and that he hated Pompey only because he
refused to marry his daughter。 Cato answered； that although they had
allowed him neither horse nor man； he had brought more treasure from
Cyprus alone； than Pompey had； after so many wars and triumphs； from
the ransacked world； that he never sought the alliance of Pompey；
not that he thought him unworthy of being related to him； but
because he differed so much from him in things that concerned the
commonwealth。 〃For；〃 said he； 〃I laid down the province that was given
me； when I went out of my praetorship； Pompey； on the contrary；
retains many provinces for himself； and he bestows many on others； and
but now he sent Caesar a force of six thousand men into Gaul； which
Caesar never asked the people for； nor had Pompey obtained their
consent to give。 Men； and horse； and arms； in any number； are become
the mutual gifts of private men to one another； and Pompey； keeping
the titles of commander and general； hands over the armies and
provinces to others to govern； while he himself stays at home to
preside at the contests of the canvass； and to stir up tumults at
elections； out of the anarchy he thus creates among us； seeking； we
see well enough； a monarchy for himself。〃 Thus he retorted on Pompey。
He had an intimate friend and admirer of the name of Marcus
Favonius； much the same to Cato as we are told Apollodorus； the
Phalerian； was in old time to Socrates； whose words used to throw
him into perfect transports and ecstasies； getting into his head； like
strong wine； and intoxicating him to a sort of frenzy。 This Favonius
stood to be chosen aedile； and was like to lose it； but Cato； who
was there to assist him； observed that all the votes were written in
one hand； and discovering the cheat； appealed to the tribunes； who
stopped the election。 Favonius was afterwards chosen aedile； and Cato；
who assisted him in all things that belonged to his office； also
undertook the care of the spectacles that were exhibited in the
theatre； giving the actors crowns； not of gold； but of wild olive；
such as used to be given at the Olympic games； and instead of the
magnificent presents that were usually made； he offered to the
Greeks beet root； lettuces； radishes； and pears； and to the Romans
earthen pots of wine； pork； figs； cucumbers； and little faggots of
wood。 Some ridiculed Cato for his economy； others looked with
respect on this gentle relaxation of his usual rigour and austerity。
In fine； Favonius himself mingled with the crowd； and sitting among
the