ARISTIDES

Aristides, the son of Lysimachus, was of the tribe Antiochis, and
township of Alopece. Being the friend and supporter of that Clisthenes,
who settled the government after the expulsion of the tyrants, and
emulating and admiring Lycurgus the Lacedaemonian above all politicians,
he adhered to the aristocratical principles of government; and had
Themistocles, son to Neocles, his adversary on the side of the populace.
Some say that, when boys together, they were always at variance in all
their words and actions, serious as well as playful. One was ready,
venturesome, and subtle, engaging readily and eagerly in everything; the
other of a staid and settled temper, intent on the exercise of justice,
not admitting any degree of falsity, indecorum, or trickery, even at his
play. Ariston of Ceos says that the first origin of enmity which rose to
so great a height, was a love affair; they were rivals for the
affection of the beautiful Stesilaus of Ceos, and were passionate beyond
moderation, and did not lay aside their animosity when the beauty that
had excited it passed away; but carried their heats and differences into
public business.

Themistocles joined an association of partisans, and fortified himself
with considerable strength; so that when some one told him that if he
were impartial, he would make a good magistrate, "I wish," replied he,
"I may never sit on that tribunal where my friends shall not plead a
greater privilege than strangers."

But Aristides walked alone on his path in politics being unwilling to
go with associates in ill doing, or to cause them vexation by not
gratifying their wishes.

When he had once opposed Themistocles in some measures that were
expedient, and had got the better of him, he could not refrain from
saying, when he left the assembly, that unless they sent Themistocles
and himself to the barathrum,(a pit into which the dead bodies of
malefactors were thrown) there could be no safety for Athens. Another
time, when urging some proposal upon the people, although there was much
opposition to it, yet he was gaining the day; but just as the president
of the assembly was about to put it to the vote, perceiving by what had
been said in debate the inexpediency of his advice, he let it fall. He
often brought in his bills by other persons, lest Themistocles, thought
party spirit against him, should be any hindrance to the good of the
public.

In all the vicissitudes of public affairs, t