§2.17.1ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ περὶ δυνάμεως σχεδὸν τὰ πλεῖστα φανερά ἐστιν ἤθη.
Likewise, the characters that accompany power are also for the most part nearly obvious.
τὰ μὲν γὰρ τὰ αὐτὰ ἔχει δύναμις τῷ πλούτῳ τὰ δὲ βελτίω·
For power has some of the same characteristics as wealth, and some that are better.
§2.17.2φιλοτιμότεροι γὰρ καὶ ἀνδρωδέστεροί εἰσιν τὰ ἤθη οἱ δυνάμενοι τῶν πλουσίων διὰ τὸ ἐφίεσθαι ἔργων ὅσα ἐξουσία αὐτοῖς πράττειν διὰ τὴν δύναμιν, §2.17.3καὶ σπουδαστικώτεροι διὰ τὸ ἐν ἐπιμελείᾳ εἶναι, ἀναγκαζόμενοι σκοπεῖν τὰ περὶ τὴν δύναμιν, §2.17.4καὶ σεμνότεροι ἢ βαρύτεροι· ποιεῖ γὰρ σεμνοτέρους τὸ ἀξίωμα, διὸ μετριάζουσιν, ἔστι δὲ ἡ σεμνότης μαλακὴ καὶ εὐσχήμων βαρύτης·
For those in power are more ambitious and more manly in character than the rich, because they aim at such deeds as they have the license to perform through their power, and more diligent, because of being in a state of attentiveness, since they are compelled to look after things concerning their power, and more dignified rather than burdensome; for their dignity makes them more majestic, wherefore they moderate themselves; and dignity is a softened and graceful heaviness.
κἂν ἀδικῶσιν, οὐ μικραδικηταί εἰσιν ἀλλὰ μεγαλάδικοι.
And if they do commit injustice, they are not petty wrongdoers but great wrongdoers.
§2.17.5ἡ δʼ εὐτυχία κατὰ μόριά τε τῶν εἰρημένων ἔχει τὰ ἤθη (εἰς γὰρ ταῦτα συντείνουσιν αἱ μέγισται δοκοῦσαι εἶναι εὐτυχίαι), καὶ ἔτι εἰς εὐτεκνίαν καὶ τὰ κατὰ τὸ σῶμα ἀγαθὰ παρασκευάζει ἡ εὐτυχία πλεονεκτεῖν.
On the other hand, good fortune possesses its characters in parts of those already mentioned (for the greatest of what are thought to be good fortunes tend toward these), and furthermore, good fortune prepares people to excel in having good children and in the goods of the body.
§2.17.6ὑπερηφανώτεροι μὲν οὖν καὶ ἀλογιστότεροι διὰ τὴν εὐτυχίαν εἰσίν, ἓν δὲ ἀκολουθεῖ βέλτιστον ἦθος τῇ εὐτυχίᾳ, ὅτι φιλόθεοί εἰσι καὶ ἔχουσιν πρὸς τὸ θεῖόν πως, πιστεύοντες διὰ τὰ γιγνόμενα ἀπὸ τῆς τύχης.
Thus, they are more arrogant and more unreasonable because of their good fortune, but one most excellent character follows good fortune: that they are lovers of God and are somehow disposed toward the divine, believing in it because of the things that happen by fortune.
περὶ μὲν οὖν τῶν καθʼ ἡλικίαν καὶ τύχην ἠθῶν εἴρηται·
So, the characters according to age and fortune have been discussed.
τὰ γὰρ ἐναντία τῶν εἰρημένων ἐκ τῶν ἐναντίων φανερά ἐστιν, οἷον πένητος καὶ ἀτυχοῦς ἦθος καὶ ἀδυνάτου.
For the opposites of those mentioned are clear from their opposites, such as the character of the poor, the unfortunate, and the powerless.