[140]
One must be careful, too, not to go beyond
proper bounds in expense and display, especially
if one is building for oneself. For much mischief
is done in this way, if only in the example set.
For many people imitate zealously the foibles of
the great, particularly in this direction: for example,
who copies the virtues of Lucius Lucullus, excellent man that he was? But how many there are who
have copied the magnificence of his villas! Some limit
should surely be set to this tendency and it should
be reduced at least to a standard of moderation;
and by that same standard of moderation the comforts and wants of life generally should be regulated.
But enough on this part of my theme.
[p. 145]
M. Tullius Cicero. De Officiis. With An English Translation. Walter Miller. Cambridge. Harvard University Press; Cambridge, Mass., London, England. 1913.
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