he constancy he showed was
admirable, not being elated with honors, and demeaning himself sedately
in adversity. Once, at the recital of these verses of Aeshcylus in the
theatre, relating to Amphiaraus,

For not at seeming just, but being so
He aims; and from his depth of soil below,
Harvest of wise and prudent counsels grow,

the eyes of all the spectators were turned upon Aristides, as if this
virtue in an especial manner belonged to him.

He was a most determined champion of justice, not only against feelings
of friendship and favor, but wrath and malice.

Thus it is reported of him that prosecuting one who was his enemy,
when the judges after accusation refused to hear the criminal, and were
proceeding immediately to pass sentence upon him, he rose in haste from
his seat and joined in petition with him for a hearing, and that he
might enjoy the privilege of the law. Another time, judging between
two private persons, when the one declared his adversary had very much
injured Aristides; "Tell me rather, good friend," he said, "what wrong
he has done you: for it is your cause, not my own, which I now sit
judge of." Being chosen to the charge of the public revenue, he made it
appear, that not only those of his time, but the preceding officers, had
alienated much treasure, and especially Themistocles:

Well known he was an able man to be,
But with his fingers apt to be too free.

Therefore, Themistocles associating several persons against Aristides,
and impeaching him when he gave in his accounts, caused him to be
condemned of robbing of the public; so Idomeneus states; but the best
and chief men of the city much resented it, so that he was not only
exempted from the fine imposed upon him, but again called to the
same employment. Pretending now to repent of his former practice, and
carrying himself with more remissness, he became acceptable to such
as pillaged the treasury, by not detecting or calling them to an exact
account. So that those who had their fill of the public money began
highly to applaud Aristides, and sued to the people, to have him once
more chosen treasurer. But when they were upon the point of election, he
reproved the Athenians in these words: "When I discharged my office
well and faithfully, I was insulted and abused; but now that I have
countenanced the public thieves in a variety of malpractices, I am
considered an admirable patriot. I am more ashamed, therefore, of t