88. Such, then, ought the man of counsel to
be. He must have nothing dark, or deceptive, or false about him,
to cast a shadow on his life and character, nothing wicked or evil to
keep back those who want advice. For there are some things which
one flies from, others which one despises. Cic. de
Off. II, 10, § 36. We fly from those things which can do
harm, or can perfidiously and quietly grow to do us hurt, as when he
whose advice we ask is of doubtful honour, or is desirous of money, so
that a certain sum can make him change his mind. If a man acts
unjustly, we fly from him and avoid him. A man that is a pleasure
seeker and extravagant, although he does not act falsely, yet is
avaricious and too fond of filthy lucre; such an one is despised.
What proof of hard work, what fruits of labour, can he give who gives
himself up to a sluggish and idle life, or what cares and anxieties
ever enter his mind?