1In public life he conducted himself in such a way that he always both belonged to the party of the best men and was thought to, and yet did not commit himself to the waves of civil strife, because he thought that those who had given themselves up to them were no more in their own control than those who were tossed about on the waves of the sea. 2He did not seek office, though it lay open to him because of either his influence or his standing, because offices could neither be sought in the manner of our ancestors, nor won while keeping within the laws amid such unbridled bribery, nor held to the advantage of the state without danger when the morals of the community were corrupted. He never went near a public auction.
3He never became either surety or contractor for anything. 3He accused no one either in his own name or as a co-signatory to a prosecution, never went to law over his own affairs, and never had a lawsuit. 4Prefectures offered him by many consuls and praetors he accepted in such a way that he followed no one into his province, was content with the honour, and disdained the profit to his estate: he would not even go to Asia with Quintus Cicero, though he could have held the position of legate on his staff. 4For he thought it unbecoming, having refused to hold the praetorship, to be the attendant of a praetor.
5In this he served not only his dignity but also his peace of mind, since he avoided even suspicion of wrongdoing. 5So it came about that his attentiveness was all the dearer to everyone, since they saw that it was paid out of a sense of duty, not out of fear or hope.