From my [adoptive] father: gentleness, and an immovable adherence to decisions made after full consideration; no vain taste for so called honours; stamina and perseverance; a ready ear for anyone with any proposal for the common good; to reward impartially, giving everyone their due; experience of where to tighten, where to relax; putting a stop to homosexual love of young men; a common courtesy, excusing his court of constant attendance at a dinner with him and the obligation to accompany him out of town, and those kept away by some other commitment always found him no different towards them, focused and persistent in deliberation in council, never satisfied with first impressions and leaving a question prematurely; the concern to keep his friends, with no extremes of surfeit or favouritism, his own master in all things, and serene with it; foresight for the longer issues and unfussy control of the least detail; the check he put in his reign on acclamations and all forms of flattery; his constant watch on the needs of the empire, his stewardship of its resources and his tolerance of some people's criticism in this area; no superstitious fear of the gods, nor with men any populism or obsequious courting of the mob, but a sober steadfastness in all things, and nowhere any vulgar or newfangled taste.
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