§3.1Ad hanc corporis firmitatem plura etiam animi bona accesserant.
To this strength of body were added also many virtues of mind.
erat enim modestus, prudens, gravis, temporibus sapienter utens, peritus belli, fortis manu, animo maximo, adeo veritatis diligens, ut ne ioco quidem mentiretur.
For he was modest, prudent, grave, using opportunities wisely, skilled in war, brave in action, of the greatest courage, and so observant of truth that he would not tell a lie even in jest.
§3.2idem continens, clemens patiensque admirandum in modum, non solum populi, sed etiam amicorum ferens iniurias, in primis commissa celans, quodque interdum non minus prodest quam diserte dicere, studiosus audiendi: ex hoc enim facillime disci arbitrabatur.
He was likewise self-controlled, merciful and patient in an admirable manner, bearing the wrongs not only of the people but also of his friends, especially concealing secrets committed to him, and eager to listen—which is sometimes no less useful than to speak eloquently; for he thought that by this means one could learn most easily.
§3.3itaque cum in circulum venisset, in quo aut de re publica disputaretur aut de philosophia sermo haberetur, numquam inde prius discessit, quam ad finem sermo esset adductus.
Therefore, when he had come into a circle in which either politics were being discussed or a conversation was being held about philosophy, he never departed from there until the discourse was brought to an end.
§3.4paupertatem adeo facile perpessus est, ut de re publica nihil praeter gloriam ceperit.
He bore poverty so easily that he took nothing from the state except glory.
amicorum in se tuendo caruit facultatibus, fide ad alios sublevandos saepe sic usus est, ut iudicari possit omnia ei cum amicis fuisse communia.
He did not use the resources of his friends for his own support, but often used his credit to relieve others in such a way that it might be judged that all things were common to him and his friends.
§3.5nam cum aut civium suorum aliquis ab hostibus esset captus aut virgo nubilis propter paupertatem collocari non posset, amicorum concilium habebat et, quantum quisque daret, pro facultatibus imperabat.
For when any one of his fellow citizens had been captured by the enemy, or a marriageable maiden could not be portioned out because of poverty, he would hold a meeting of his friends and demand, according to the means of each, how much each should give.
§3.6eamque summam cum fecerat, potius quam ipse acciperet pecuniam, adducebat eum, qui quaerebat, ad eos, qui conferebant, eique ut ipsi numerarent faciebat, ut ille, ad quem ea perveniebat, sciret quantum cuique deberet.
And when he had made up that sum, rather than receiving the money himself, he would bring the man who was in need to those who were contributing, and make them pay him themselves, so that he to whom it came might know how much he owed to each.