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engaged himself in politics； but he undertook the service of the state
as the proper business of honest man； and therefore he thought himself
obliged to be as constant to his public duty as the bee to the
honeycomb。 To this end； he took care to have his friends and
correspondents everywhere； to send him reports of the edicts； decrees；
judgments； and all the important proceedings that passed in any of the
provinces。 Once when Clodius； the seditious orator； to promote his
violent and revolutionary projects； traduced to the people some of the
priests and priestesses （among whom Fabia； sister to Cicero's wife；
Terentia； ran great danger）； Cato having boldly interfered； and having
made Clodius appear so infamous that he was forced to leave the
town； was addressed； when it was over； by Cicero； who came to thank
him for what he had done。 〃You must thank the commonwealth；〃 said
he； for whose sake alone he professed to do everything。 Thus he gained
a great and wonderful reputation； so that an advocate in a cause；
where there was only one witness against him； told the judges they
ought not to rely upon a single witness； though it were Cato
himself。 And it was a sort of proverb with many people； if any very
unlikely and incredible thing were asserted； to say； they would not
believe it； though Cato himself should affirm it。 One day a
debauched and sumptuous liver talking in the senate about frugality
and temperance； Anaeus standing up； cried； 〃Who can endure this；
sir； to have you feast like Crassus； build like Lucullus； and talk
like Cato。〃 So likewise those who were vicious and dissolute in
their manners； yet affected to be grave and severe in their
language； were in derision called Catos。
At first； when his friends would have persuaded him to stand to be
tribune of the people； he thought it undesirable； for that the power
of so great an office ought to be reserved； as the strongest
medicines； for occasions of the last necessity。 But afterwards in a
vacation time； as he was going； accompanied with his books and
philosophers； to Lucania； where he had lands with a pleasant
residence； they met by the way a great many horses； carriages； and
attendants； of whom they understood； that Metellus Nepos was going
to Rome； to stand to be tribune of the people。 Hereupon Cato
stopped； and after a little pause； gave orders to return back
immediately； at which the company seeming to wonder； 〃Don't you know；〃
said he； 〃how dangerous of itself the madness of Metellus is？ and
now that he comes armed with the support of Pompey； he will fall
like lightning on the state； and bring it to utter disorder； therefore
this is no time for idleness and diversion； but we must go and prevent
this man in his designs； or bravely die in defence of our liberty。〃
Nevertheless； by the persuasion of his friends； he went first to his
country…house； where he stayed but a very little time； and then
returned to town。
He arrived in the evening； and went straight the next morning to the
forum； where he began to solicit for the tribuneship； in opposition to
Metellus。 The power of this office consists rather in controlling than
performing any business； for though all the rest except any one
tribune should be agreed； yet his denial or intercession could put a
stop to the whole matter。 Cato； at first； had not many that appeared
for him； but as soon as his design was known； all the good and
distinguished persons of the city quickly came forward to encourage
and support him； looking upon him； not as one that desired a favour of
them； but one that proposed to do a great favour to his country and
all honest men； who had many times refused the same office； when he
might have had it without trouble； but now sought it with danger； that
he might defend their liberty and their government。 It is reported
that so great a number flocked about him that he was like to be
stifled amidst the press； and could scarce get through the crowd。 He
was declared tribune； with several others； among whom was Metellus。
When Cato was chosen into this office； observing that the election
of consuls was become a matter of purchase； he sharply rebuked the
people for this corruption； and in the conclusion of his speech
protested he would bring to trial whomever he should find giving
money； making an exception only in the case of Silanus； on account
of their near connection； he having married Servilia； Cato's sister。
He therefore did not prosecute him； but accused Lucius Murena； who had
been chosen consul by corrupt means with Silanus。 There was a law that
the party accused might appoint a person to keep watch upon his
accuser； that he might know fairly what means he took in preparing the
accusation。 He that was set upon Cato by Murena； at first followed and
observed him strictly； yet never found him dealing any way unfairly or
insidiously； but always generously and candidly going on in the just
and open methods of proceeding。 And he so admired Cato's great spirit；
and so entirely trusted to his integrity； that meeting him in the
forum； or going to his house； he would ask him if he designed to do
anything that day in order to the accusation； and if Cato said no；
he went away； relying on his word。 When the cause was pleaded
Cicero； who was then consul and defended Murena； took occasion to be
extremely witty and jocose； in reference to Cato； upon the Stoic
philosophers； and their paradoxes； as they call them； and so excited
great laughter among the judges； upon which Cato； smiling； said to the
standers…by； 〃What a pleasant consul we have； my friends。〃 Murena
was acquitted； and afterwards showed himself a man of no ill…feeling
or want of sense； for when he was consul； he always took Cato's advice
in the most weighty affairs and； during all the time of his office；
paid him much honour and respect。 Of which not only Murena's prudence；
but also Cato's own behaviour； was the cause； for though he were
terrible and severe as to matters of justice； in the senate； and at
the bar； yet after the thing was over his manner to all men was
perfectly friendly and humane。
Before he entered on the office of tribune； he assisted Cicero； at
that time consul； in many contests that concerned his office； but most
especially in his great and noble acts at the time of Catiline's
conspiracy； which owed their last successful issue to Cato。 Catiline
had plotted a dreadful and entire subversion of the Roman state by
sedition and open war； but being convicted by Cicero； was forced to
fly the city。 Yet Lentulus and Cethegus remained； with several others；
to carry on the same plot； and blaming Catiline； as one that wanted
courage； and had been timid and petty in his designs； they
themselves resolved to set the whole town on fire； and utterly to
overthrow the empire； rousing whole nations to revolt and exciting
foreign wars。 But the design was discovered by Cicero （as we have
written in his life）； and the matter brought before the senate。