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instructing their ignorance。 Being bold； impudent fellows； they
flattered the other quaestors his colleagues； and by their means
endeavoured to maintain an opposition against him。 But he convicted
the chiefest of them of a breach of trust in the charge of an
inheritance； and turned him out of his place。 A second he brought to
trial for dishonesty； who was defended by Lutatius Catulus； at that
time censor； a man very considerable for his office； but yet more
for his character； as he was eminent above all the Romans of that
age for his reputed wisdom integrity。 He was also intimate with
Cato； and much commended his way of living。 So perceiving he could not
bring off his client； if he stood a fair trial； he openly began to beg
him off。 Cato objected to his doing this。 And when he continued
still to be importunate； 〃It would be shameful； Catulus；〃 he said；
〃that the censor； the judge of all our lives； should incur the
dishonour of removal by our officers。〃 At this expression； Catulus
looked as if he would have made some answer； but he said nothing and
either through anger or shame went away silent； and out of
countenance。 Nevertheless； the man was not found guilty； for the
voices that acquitted him were but one in number less than those
that condemned him； and Marcus Lollius； one of Cato's colleagues；
who was absent by reason of sickness； was sent for by Catulus； and
entreated to come and save the man。 So Lollius was brought into
court in a chair； and gave his voice also for acquitting him。 Yet Cato
never after made use of that clerk； and never paid him his salary； nor
would he make any account of the vote given by Lollius。 Having thus
humbled the clerks； and brought them to be at command； he made use
of the books and registers as he thought fit； and in a little while
gained the treasury a higher name than the senate…house itself； and
all men said； Cato had made the office of a quaestor equal to the
dignity of a consul。 When he found many indebted to the state upon old
accounts； and the state also in debt to many private persons； he
took care that the public might no longer either do or suffer wrong；
he strictly and punctually exacted what was due to the treasury； and
as freely and speedily paid all those to whom it was indebted。 So that
the people were filled with sentiments of awe and respect； on seeing
those made to pay； who thought to have escaped with their plunder； and
others receiving all their due； who despaired of getting anything。 And
whereas usually those who brought false bills and pretended orders
of the senate； could through favour get them accepted； Cato would
never be so imposed upon； and in the case of one particular order；
on the question arising whether it had passed the senate； he would not
believe a great many witnesses that attested it； nor would admit of
it； till the consuls came and affirmed it upon oath。
There were at that time a great many whom Sylla had made use of as
his agents in the proscription； and to whom he had for their service
in putting men to death； given twelve thousand drachmas apiece。
These men everybody hated as wicked and polluted wretches； but
nobody durst be revenged upon them。 Cato called every one to
account； as wrongfully possessed of the public money； and exacted it
of them； and at the same time sharply reproved them for their unlawful
and impious actions。 After these proceedings they were presently
accused of murder； and being already in a manner prejudged as
guilty； they were easily found so； and accordingly suffered； at
which the whole people rejoiced and thought themselves now to see
the old tyranny finally abolished； and Sylla himself； so to say；
brought to punishment。
Cato's assiduity also； and indefatigable diligence； won very much
upon the people。 He always came first of any of his colleagues to
the treasury； and away the last。 He never missed any assembly of the
people； or sitting of the senate； being always anxious and on the
watch for those who lightly； or as a matter of interest； passed
votes in favour of this or that person； for remitting debts or
granting away customs that were owing to the state。 And at length；
having kept the exchequer pure and clear from base informers； and
yet having filled it with treasure； he made it appear that the state
might be rich without oppressing the people。 At first he excited
feelings of dislike and irritation in some of his colleagues； but
after a while they were well contented with him； since he was
perfectly willing that they should cast all the odium on him； when
they declined to gratify their friends with the public money； or to
give dishonest judgments in passing their accounts； and when
hard…pressed by suitors； they could readily answer it was impossible
to do anything unless Cato would consent。 On the last day of his
office； he was honourably attended to his house by； almost all the
people； but on the way he was informed that several powerful friends
were in the treasury with Marcellus； using all their interest with him
to pass a certain debt to the public revenue； as if it had been a
gift。 Marcellus had been one of Cato's friends from his childhood； and
so long as Cato was with him； was one of the best of his colleagues in
this office； but when alone； was unable to resist the importunity of
suitors； and prone to do anybody a kindness。 So Cato immediately
turned back； and finding that Marcellus had yielded to pass the thing；
he took the book； and while Marcellus silently stood by and looked on；
struck it out。 This done； he brought Marcellus out of the treasury；
and took him home with him； who for all this； neither then； nor ever
after； complained of him； but always continued his friendship and
familiarity with him。
Cato； after he had laid down his office； yet did not cease to keep a
watch upon the treasury。 He had his servants who continually wrote out
the details of the expenditure； and he himself kept always by him
certain books； which contained the accounts of the revenue from
Sylla's time to his own quaestorship； which he had bought for five
talents。
He was always first at the senate； and went out last； and often；
while the others were slowly collecting； he would sit and read by
himself； holding his gown before his book。 He was never once out of
town when the senate was to meet。 And when afterwards Pompey and his
party； finding that he could never be either persuaded or compelled to
favour their unjust designs； endeavoured to keep him from the
senate； by engaging him in business for his friends； to plead their
causes； or arbitrate in their differences； or the like； he quickly
discovered the trick； and to defeat it； fairly told all his
acquaintance that he would never meddle in any private business when
the senate was assembled。 Since it was not in the hope of gaining
honour or riches； nor out of mere impulse； or by chance that he
engaged himself in politics； but he undertook the service of the state
as the