6.
Can you not at once imagine, on reading through these words, that this was the man who always paraded through the city with a flowing tunic?
For even if he was discharging the absent emperor’s duties, he was always in undress when they asked him for the countersign.
Or that this was the man who, as judge on the bench, or as an orator, or at any public function, appeared with his cloak wrapped about his head, leaving only the ears exposed, like the millionaire’s runaway slaves in the farce?
Or that this was the man who, at the very time when the state was embroiled in civil strife, when the city was in difficulties and under martial law, was attended in public by two eunuchs—both of them more men than himself?
Or that this was the man who had but one wife, and yet was married countless times?
Book: Moral Letters Vol III
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On style as a mirror of character
Location: Chapter 114, Section 6
Content:
6.
Can you not at once imagine, on reading through these words, that this was the man who always paraded through the city with a flowing tunic?
For even if he was discharging the absent emperor’s duties, he was always in undress when they asked him for the countersign.
Or that this was the man who, as judge on the bench, or as an orator, or at any public function, appeared with his cloak wrapped about his head, leaving only the ears exposed, like the millionaire’s runaway slaves in the farce?
Or that this was the man who, at the very time when the state was embroiled in civil strife, when the city was in difficulties and under martial law, was attended in public by two eunuchs—both of them more men than himself?
Or that this was the man who had but one wife, and yet was married countless times?