1Eumenes of Cardia. 1If fortune equal to his merit had been granted him, he would not indeed have been greater, since we measure great men by merit, not by fortune, but he would have been far more famous and also more honoured. 2For since his lifetime fell in the period in which the Macedonians flourished, it took much from him, living among them, that he was from a foreign state, and he lacked nothing but noble descent. 3For although he was of the highest family in his own country, the Macedonians nevertheless resented it that he was sometimes preferred to them, and yet they did put up with it: for he surpassed them all in diligence, watchfulness, endurance, shrewdness and quickness of mind.
4While still a very young man he was admitted to the friendship of Philip, son of Amyntas, and in a short time came into the closest intimacy: for the natural promise of merit was already shining in the youth. 5And so Philip kept him at hand in the position of secretary, which is far more honourable among the Greeks than among the Romans. 5For among us secretaries are regarded as hirelings, as indeed they are; 5but among them, on the contrary, no one is admitted to that office unless he is of respectable standing and of proven loyalty and diligence, because he must necessarily share in all counsels. 6He held this position of friendship with Philip for seven years.
6When Philip had been killed, he held the same rank with Alexander for thirteen years. 6In his last period he also commanded one of the two cavalry wings, which was called the Hetaerice. 6And he was always present in the council of both kings and was regarded as a sharer in all affairs.