1When I was a young man I loved Quintus Maximus, the one who recaptured Tarentum, though he was old, as though he were my own age. 1For in that man there was dignity seasoned with courtesy, nor had old age changed his character. 1And yet when I began to attach myself to him he was not very old, but still already advanced in years. 1For he had been consul for the first time the year after I was born, and when he was consul for the fourth time I set out with him as a very young soldier for Capua, and in the fifth year after that for Tarentum. 1Then four years later I was made quaestor, an office I held in the consulship of Tuditanus and Cethegus, at the very time when he, a very old man, spoke in favour of the Cincian law on gifts and fees.
1He both waged wars like a young man when he was plainly old, and by his patience wore down Hannibal as he leapt about in youthful exuberance; 1of whom our friend Ennius finely says: 'One man by delaying restored our state for us; 1he did not set rumours before safety; 1therefore now the man's glory shines brighter and ever brighter.' 1And Tarentum — with what vigilance, with what judgement he recaptured it! 11Indeed, in my hearing, when Salinator, who had lost the town and fled into the citadel, was boasting and speaking thus, 'It was by my efforts, Quintus Fabius, that you recaptured Tarentum'; 11'Certainly,' he said, laughing, 'for if you had not lost it, I should never have recaptured it.' 11Nor indeed was he more outstanding in arms than in the toga; 11for when consul for the second time, while his colleague Spurius Carvilius kept quiet, he resisted as far as he could Gaius Flaminius, tribune of the plebs, who was dividing the Picene and Gallic land among individuals against the authority of the senate; 11and when he was augur, he dared to say that those things were done under the best auspices which were done for the safety of the state; 11and that those which were proposed against the state were proposed against the auspices.
12I came to know many outstanding things in that man, but nothing more admirable than the way he bore the death of his son, a distinguished man and a former consul. 12His funeral eulogy is in our hands, and when we read it, what philosopher do we not despise? 12Nor indeed was he great only in public and before the eyes of the citizens, but more outstanding still within doors and at home. 12What conversation, what precepts! 12What knowledge of antiquity, what learning in augural law! 12He had, too, much literature, for a Roman: he held everything in his memory, not only wars at home but also those abroad. 12I enjoyed his conversation so eagerly at that time, as if I already foresaw what came to pass, that when he was gone there would be no one from whom I could learn.