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to them。 His servants thus behaving themselves towards the
magistrates； without noise and threatening； were often discredited； or
neglected by them； so that Cato many times arrived and found nothing
provided for him。 And it was all the worse when he appeared himself；
still less account was taken of him。 When they saw him sitting；
without saying anything； on his baggage； they set him down at once
as a person of no consequence； who did not venture to make any demand。
Sometimes； on such occasions； he would call them to him and tell them；
〃Foolish people； lay aside this inhospitality。 All your visitors
will not be Catos。 Use your courtesy； to take off the sharp edge of
power。 There are men enough who desire but a pretence； to take from
you by force； what you give with such reluctance。〃
While he travelled in this manner； a diverting accident befell him
in Syria。 As he was going into Antioch； he saw a great multitude of
people outside the gates； ranged in order on either side the way； here
the young men with long cloaks； there the children decently dressed；
others wore garlands and white garments who were the priests and
magistrates。 Cato imagining all this could mean nothing but a
display in honour of his reception； began to be angry with his
servants； who had been sent before； for suffering it to be done；
then making his friends alight； he walked along with them on foot。
As soon as he came near the gate； an elderly man； who seemed to be
master of these ceremonies； with a wand and a garland in his hand；
came up to Cato； and without saluting him； asked him where he had left
Demetrius； and how soon he thought he would he there。 This Demetrius
was Pompey's servant； and as at this time the whole world； so to
say； had its eyes fixed upon Pompey； this man also was highly
honoured； on account of his influence with his master。 Upon this
Cato's friends fell into such violent laughter； that they could not
restrain themselves while they passed through the crowd； and he
himself； ashamed and distressed； uttered the words； 〃Unfortunate
city！〃 and said no more。 Afterwards however； it always made him laugh；
when he either told the story or was otherwise reminded of it。
Pompey himself shortly after made the people ashamed of their
ignorance and folly in thus neglecting him； for Cato； coming in his
journey to Ephesus； went to pay his respects to him； who was the elder
man； had gained much honour； and was then general of a great army。 Yet
Pompey would not receive him sitting； but as soon as he saw him；
rose up； and going to meet him； as the more honourable person； gave
him his hand； and embraced him with great show of kindness。 He said
much in commendation of his virtue both at that time when receiving
him； and also yet more after he had withdrawn。 So that now all men
began at once to display their respect for Cato； and discovered in him
the very same things for which they despised him before； an
admirable mildness of temper and greatness of spirit。 And indeed the
civility that Pompey himself showed him appeared to come from one that
rather respected than loved him； and the general opinion was； that
while Cato was there he paid him admiration； but was not sorry when he
was gone。 For when other young men came to see him he usually urged
and entreated them to continue with him。 Now he did not at all
invite Cato to stay； but as if his own power were lessened by the
other's presence； he very willingly allowed him to take his leave。 Yet
to Cato alone； of all those who went for Rome； he recommended his
children and his wife； who was indeed connected by relationship with
Cato。
After this； all the cities through which he passed strove and
emulated each other in showing him respect and honour。 Feasts and
entertainments were made for his reception； so that he bade his
friends keep strict watch and take care of him； lest he should end
by making good what was said by Curio； who though he were his familiar
friend； yet disliking the austerity of his temper； asked him one day
if； when he left the army； he designed to see Asia； and Cato
answering； 〃Yes； by all means。〃 〃You do well；〃 replied Curio； 〃you
will bring back with you a better temper and pleasanter manners；〃
pretty nearly the very words he used。
Deiotarus； being now an old man； had sent for Cato； to recommend his
children and family to his protection； and as soon as he came； brought
him presents of all sorts of things； which he begged and entreated him
to accept。 And his importunities displeased Cato so much； that
though he came but in the evening； he stayed only that night； and went
away early the next morning。 After he was gone one day's journey； he
found at Pessinus a yet greater quantity of presents provided for
him there； and also letters from Deiotarus entreating him to receive
them； or at least to permit his friends to take them； who for his sake
deserved some gratification； and could not have much done for them out
of Cato's own means。 Yet he would not suffer it； though he saw some of
them very willing to receive such gifts； and ready to complain of
his severity； but he answered； that corruption would never want
pretence； and his friends should share with him in whatever he
should justly and honestly obtain； and so returned the presents to
Deiotarus。
When he took ship for Brundusium； his friends would have persuaded
him to put his brother's ashes into another vessel； but he said he
would sooner part with his life than leave them； and so set sail。
And as it chanced； he； we are told； had a very dangerous passage；
though others at the same time went over safely enough。
After he was returned to Rome； he spent his time for the most part
either at home； in conversation with Athenodorus； or at the forum；
in the service of his friends。 Though it was now the time that he
should become quaestor； he would not stand for the place till he had
studied the laws relating to it； and by inquiry from persons of
experience； had attained a distinct understanding of the duty and
authority belonging to it。 With this knowledge； as soon as he came
into the office； he made a great reformation among the clerks and
under…officers of the treasury； people who had long practice and
familiarity in all the public records and the laws； and； when new
magistrates came in year by year so ignorant and unskillful as to be
in absolute need of others to teach them what to do； did not submit
and give way； but kept the power in their own hands； and were in
effect the treasurers themselves。 Till Cato； applying himself
roundly to the work； showed that he possessed not only the title and
honour of a quaestor； but the knowledge and understanding and full
authority of his office。 So that he used the clerks and under…officers
like servants as they were； exposing their corrupt practices； and
instructing their ignorance。 Being bold； impudent fellows； they
flattered the other quaestors his colleagues； and by their means
endeavou