The ancient Stoics had exceptionally high standards for what they considered their idea philosopher: above all, one who would live the life of uncompromising virtue. Many ancient people attempted this demanding lifestyle but fell short. However, there was one Roman living during the time of Julius Caesar who perfectly embodied the Stoic ideal of a virtuous life: Cato the Younger. The biographer/philosopher Plutarch (45 AD – 120AD) writes of Cato and his strong, clear internal flame of virtue and love of justice and truth. Below are quotes from the text along with my comments:

“Even from his infancy, in his speech, his countenance, and all his childish pastimes, Cato was of inflexible temper, unmoved by any passion, and firm in everything. He was resolute in his purpose, much beyond the strength of his age, to go through with whatever he undertook.” Once when a politician visited Cato’s home and asked the boy if he would support his (anti-Roman) action, Cato remained silent. The politician picked Cato up and held him out an upper-story window and demanded Cato say ‘yes’. Cato remained unmoved, unalarmed and silent. The politician pulled Cato back, set him down, and said, “What a blessing for Italy, he is a but a child. If he were a man, I believe we should not gain one voice among the people.” ---------- Ah, remaining unmoved and calm in the face of death, even as a child. If there ever was a born Stoic, Cato is our man.

“Having gained the intimate acquaintance of a stoic philosopher, Cato devoted himself to the study, about everything, of moral and political doctrine. And though possessed as it were, by a kind of inspiration for the pursuit of every virtue, yet what most of all virtue and excellence fixed his affection, was that steady and inflexible Justice, which is not to be wrought upon by favor or compassion.” ---------- The four key Greco-Roman philosophical virtues were wisdom, courage, temperance and justice. And Cato, interested in law and politics, placed justice about all. A reader can almost feel Plutarch the philosopher beaming with pride as he writes about the life of Cato.

“He learned also the art of speaking and debating in public . . . His speech has noting youthful or refined in it, but was straightforward, full of matter, and rough, at the same time that there was a certain grace about his rough statements which won the attention; and the speaker’s character showing itself in all he said.” ---------- From what Plutarch writes here, it appears Cato had many of the qualities of speech attributed to that 19th century American public man of rough and straightforward character – Abraham Lincoln. No wonder the common people loved Cato.

“Amidst the corruption and disorders of that army, he showed such a love of discipline, so much bravery upon occasion, and so much courage and wisdom in everything. . . . And Cato himself acquired on the fullest measure, what it had been his least desire to seek, glory and good repute; he was highly esteemed by all men, and entirely beloved by the soldiers.” ---------- Not only all the philosophical virtues, but all the military virtues as well. In the world of ancient Rome, a winning combination.

“Since it was not in the hope of gaining honor or riches, nor out of mere impulse, or by chance that he engaged himself in politics, but he undertook the service of the state, as the proper business of an honest man, and therefore he thought himself obliged to be as constant to his public duty, as the bee to the honeycomb.” ---------- The perfect Roman statesman: 100% commitment to his county with zero interest in his own personal glory. How many Catos do we have in public office today?

However, there is a downside for a man of pure virtue participating in the public and political life of a country torn apart by internal strife, plotting, trickery, scheming, secrecy, conspiracy and bloodshed: such a man can be easily snared in the violent crossfire. And this is exactly what happened to Cato. He took the side of justice again the forces of tyranny in the person of Caesar. Back and forth, up and down with the arguing and crossing of swords culminating in that seemingly inevitable Roman event: the ultimate face-off with the winner taking all. And Caesar was to prove the victor.

Realizing Caesar would cast dishonor on him if he was ever taken prisoner, Cato chose the courageous Stoic way: he made plans to take up the sword and kill himself. When his friends and son, weeping and wailing, implored him to change his mind, Cato said: “When and how did I become deranged, and out of my senses, that thus no one tries to persuade me by reason, or show me what is better, if I am supposed to be ill-advised? Must I be disarmed and hindered from my own reason.” Ever the follower of his conscience and reason, ever the ideal Stoic, Cato dismissed them all and, once alone, plunged the sword in his chest. But as he rolled off the bed he knocked over a table. Hearing the din, his son and friends and physician hurried back into the chamber. Seeing him thus, the physician sewed up the wound. But, Cato, recovering himself slightly, pulled out the stitches – and died. No wonder many years later, Seneca judged Cato as the man who most completely embodied the principles of the ideal Stoic philosopher.


Plutarch’s Lives are available on-line: http://www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu... ( )

The ancient Stoics had exceptionally high standards for what they considered their idea philosopher: above all, one who would live the life of uncompromising virtue. Many ancient people attempted this demanding lifestyle but fell short. However, there was one Roman living during the time of Julius Caesar who perfectly embodied the Stoic ideal of a virtuous life: Cato the Younger. The biographer/philosopher Plutarch (45 AD – 120AD) writes of Cato and his strong, clear internal flame of virtue and love of justice and truth. Below are quotes from the text along with my comments:

“Even from his infancy, in his speech, his countenance, and all his childish pastimes, Cato was of inflexible temper, unmoved by any passion, and firm in everything. He was resolute in his purpose, much beyond the strength of his age, to go through with whatever he undertook.” Once when a politician visited Cato’s home and asked the boy if he would support his (anti-Roman) action, Cato remained silent. The politician picked Cato up and held him out an upper-story window and demanded Cato say ‘yes’. Cato remained unmoved, unalarmed and silent. The politician pulled Cato back, set him down, and said, “What a blessing for Italy, he is a but a child. If he were a man, I believe we should not gain one voice among the people.” ---------- Ah, remaining unmoved and calm in the face of death, even as a child. If there ever was a born Stoic, Cato is our man.

“Having gained the intimate acquaintance of a stoic philosopher, Cato devoted himself to the study, about everything, of moral and political doctrine. And though possessed as it were, by a kind of inspiration for the pursuit of every virtue, yet what most of all virtue and excellence fixed his affection, was that steady and inflexible Justice, which is not to be wrought upon by favor or compassion.” ---------- The four key Greco-Roman philosophical virtues were wisdom, courage, temperance and justice. And Cato, interested in law and politics, placed justice about all. A reader can almost feel Plutarch the philosopher beaming with pride as he writes about the life of Cato.

“He learned also the art of speaking and debating in public . . . His speech has noting youthful or refined in it, but was straightforward, full of matter, and rough, at the same time that there was a certain grace about his rough statements which won the attention; and the speaker’s character showing itself in all he said.” ---------- From what Plutarch writes here, it appears Cato had many of the qualities of speech attributed to that 19th century American public man of rough and straightforward character – Abraham Lincoln. No wonder the common people loved Cato.

“Amidst the corruption and disorders of that army, he showed such a love of discipline, so much bravery upon occasion, and so much courage and wisdom in everything. . . . And Cato himself acquired on the fullest measure, what it had been his least desire to seek, glory and good repute; he was highly esteemed by all men, and entirely beloved by the soldiers.” ---------- Not only all the philosophical virtues, but all the military virtues as well. In the world of ancient Rome, a winning combination.

“Since it was not in the hope of gaining honor or riches, nor out of mere impulse, or by chance that he engaged himself in politics, but he undertook the service of the state, as the proper business of an honest man, and therefore he thought himself obliged to be as constant to his public duty, as the bee to the honeycomb.” ---------- The perfect Roman statesman: 100% commitment to his county with zero interest in his own personal glory. How many Catos do we have in public office today?

However, there is a downside for a man of pure virtue participating in the public and political life of a country torn apart by internal strife, plotting, trickery, scheming, secrecy, conspiracy and bloodshed: such a man can be easily snared in the violent crossfire. And this is exactly what happened to Cato. He took the side of justice again the forces of tyranny in the person of Caesar. Back and forth, up and down with the arguing and crossing of swords culminating in that seemingly inevitable Roman event: the ultimate face-off with the winner taking all. And Caesar was to prove the victor.

Realizing Caesar would cast dishonor on him if he was ever taken prisoner, Cato chose the courageous Stoic way: he made plans to take up the sword and kill himself. When his friends and son, weeping and wailing, implored him to change his mind, Cato said: “When and how did I become deranged, and out of my senses, that thus no one tries to persuade me by reason, or show me what is better, if I am supposed to be ill-advised? Must I be disarmed and hindered from my own reason.” Ever the follower of his conscience and reason, ever the ideal Stoic, Cato dismissed them all and, once alone, plunged the sword in his chest. But as he rolled off the bed he knocked over a table. Hearing the din, his son and friends and physician hurried back into the chamber. Seeing him thus, the physician sewed up the wound. But, Cato, recovering himself slightly, pulled out the stitches – and died. No wonder many years later, Seneca judged Cato as the man who most completely embodied the principles of the ideal Stoic philosopher.


Plutarch’s Lives are available on-line: http://www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu... ( )