35.
[2] Abridged from Dion Cassius, who probably gives no more than the
traditionary version of Cicero's words.
[3] [Greek: emphutos chraestotaes] are Dion Cassius's words. Antony's
language was differently reported, and perhaps there was no literal
record of it. Dion Cassius, however, can hardly have himself composed
the version which he gives in his history, for he calls the speech as
ill-timed as it was brilliant.
[4] Abridged from Dion Cassius. xliv. 36.
[5] "In deorum numerum relatus est non ore modo decernentium sed et
persuasione vulgi."--_Suetonius_.
[6] Near Gaeta.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
It remains to offer a few general remarks on the person whose life and
actions I have endeavored to describe in the preceding pages.
In all conditions of human society distinguished men are the subjects of
legend; but the character of the legend varies with the disposition of the
time. In ages which we call heroic the saint works miracles, the warrior
performs exploits beyond the strength of natural man. In ages less
visionary which are given to ease and enjoyment the tendency is to bring a
great man down to the common level, and to discover or invent faults which
shall show that he is or was but a little man after all. Our vanity is
soothed by evidence that those who have eclipsed us in the race of life
are no better than ourselves, or in some respects are worse than
ourselves; and if to these general impulses be added political or personal
animosity, accusations of depravity are circulated as surely about such
men, and are credited as readily, as under other influences are the
marvellous achievements of a Cid or a St.
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