Timoleon

But in my own case, the study of history and the familiarity with it which my writing produces, enables me, since I always cherish in my soul the records of the noblest and most estimable characters, to repel and put far from me whatever base, malicious, or ignoble suggestion my enforced associations may intrude upon me, calmly and dispassionately turning my thoughts away from them to the fairest of my examples.

Among these were Timoleon the Corinthian and Aemilius Paulus, whose Lives I have now undertaken to lay before my readers;

the men were alike not only in the good principles which they adopted, but also in the good fortune which they enjoyed in their conduct of affairs,

and they will make it hard for my readers to decide whether the greatest of their successful achievements were due to their good fortune or their wisdom.[*](In the MSS. this Introduction stands as the first chapter of the Aemilius Paulus.)