Source edition
Plutarch. Plutarch's Lives, Vol. II. Perrin, Bernadotte, editor. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1914.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a comparison (synkrisis) by Plutarch, contrasting the lives and virtues of Aristides, the Athenian statesman, and Cato the Elder, the Roman censor. It begins by highlighting how both men rose from obscurity through their own virtue and ability, while examining the different social contexts and political rivals they faced. In terms of military and political achievements, the text contrasts Aristides' selfless contribution to the Persian Wars with Cato's personal martial exploits and his reliance on extraordinary eloquence against his adversaries. The discussion also delves into their household management and attitude toward wealth, contrasting Aristides' voluntary poverty and self-sufficiency with Cato's preoccupation with property, his self-contradictory stance on frugality, and his questionable late marriage. Ultimately, the work illuminates the distinct characters of both men by weighing their political achievements against their personal moderation.