Lives by Plutarch - 10 - Cato the Elder
Cato the Elder
Quote
"I'd prefer people to ask why there are no statues of me than why there is one."
Notes
Marcus Cato is what Romans call a "new man", meaning that he is not high born but gains prominence through his own merits. And Cato is not his given name, it's a nickname which means "astute."
He gains a reputation for helping others and serving the public, though he is most interested in military fame. He's also a talented speaker, which Plutarch tells us is "a tool that is virtually indispensable if a man is to avoid a life of obscurity and failure."
He isn't interested in money or extravagance. He finds "defeating those who have gold more attractive than possessing it himself." He hears a teaching from Pythagoras that there is no greater temptation to evil than pleasure, which suits his preference for simplicity. He has slaves but he often works right alongside them. This humble work ethic wins him the attention of powerful Romans who encourage him in public life in Rome. In light of Rome's wealth and the variety of cultural goods that are available there, Cato's simple way of life really stands out.
Cato takes simplicity pretty far sometimes. He gets rid of animals that aren't useful to him anymore, which Plutarch interjects to tell us he disagrees: "Even if only in order to practice kindness, we should use animals to acquire the habit of being gentle and tender."
Plutarch also prefers to look at someone's speech to paint the picture of their character and so he offers some clever quotes of Cato. Once when arguing against the doling out of so much grain to the people he says, "My fellow citizens, it is hard to argue with the stomach, which has no ears." In another debate he compares the Romans to sheep the way they follow the herd: "When you all meet together, you let yourselves be led by people whose advice you wouldn't deign to listen to in private." Another time, speaking about the power of woman he says, "Men rule their wives, yet we, who rule all men, are ruled by our wives." He is also known to say that he "would prefer not to be thanked for doing good than not to be punished for doing bad," and that "he could forgive everyone's wrongs except his own." There are many other of his sayings, but one last one is where he says, "My goal is to excel in virtue, not in wealth or avarice."
He continues to have success in public service and in the military, playing a key role in some major victories. He is also chosen as a candidate for censorship, which is a role where you have the power to investigate people's private lives to unearth immoral conduct. A lot of people are afraid of Cato getting this role, presumably because they have things to hide, and Cato is clear about wanting to get rid of "luxury and effeminacy." He goes after people with excessive wealth but also after what he considers immoral behaviour, such as, according to him, a senator kissing his wife in public.
There is a lot of resistance to his work as censor, but overall his actions are very popular and there is a statue made for him which reads: "When the Roman constitution was in a state of collapse and decline he became censor and set it straight again by effective guidance, sound training, and sensible instruction." He doesn't care a ton about having a statue, but at the same time he is prone to boasting about himself from time to time.
Family life is very important to Cato and he treats his wife and children very well. He's personally involved in his son's education, teaching him to read and write and helping with his physical education. He is suspicious of Greek philosophers influence on society, however, and believes that they make people care more about eloquence of speech instead of practical military achievements.
He also has lots of slaves (as many wealthy Romans did). People admire the way he works alongside his slaves, but he also makes sure that there is some feud between the slaves "since their unanimity made him anxious."
He continues working in public service into his old age as well as writing books and working his farm. He hosts lots of popular feasts, too, and says there is "no better way to make friends."