those who are above them, so he hated all who were well
dressed, or learned, or opulent, or high born; and he was always
disparaging the brave, that he might appear to be the only person
eminent for virtue. And this is a vice which, as we read, was very
flagrant in the Emperor Hadrian.

11. This same emperor used to be continually abusing the timid, calling
them sordid and base, and people who deserved to be depressed below the
very lowest of the low; and yet he himself often grew pale, in the most
abject manner, with groundless fears, and often from the bottom of his
soul was terrified at things which had no existence at all.

12. Remigius, the master of the ceremonies, knowing this, and also that
Valentinian was used to get into furious passions at every trifling
incident, spread a report, among other things, that some of the
barbarians were in motion; and the emperor, when he heard this, became
at once so broken-spirited through fear that he became as gentle and
merciful as Antoninus Pius.

13. He never intentionally appointed unjust judges but if he learned
that those whom he had once promoted were acting cruelly, he boasted
that he had discovered new Lycurguses and Cassiuses, those ancient
pillars of justice; and he used to be continually exhorting them by his
letters severely to chastise even the slightest errors.

14. Nor had those who were under accusations, if any misfortune fell
upon them, any refuge in the kindness of the prince; which ought to be,
as it were, a desirable haven to those tossed about in a stormy sea.
For, as wise men teach us, "The advantage and safety of the subject is
the true end of just government."

IX.

Sec. 1. It is natural for us, after discussing these topics, if we would
act fairly, now to come to his virtuous and laudable actions; since if
he had tempered his vices fairly with them he would have been a second
Trajan or Marcus Aurelius. Towards the people of the provinces he was
very considerate, lightening the burden of their tributes throughout the
empire. He also exerted himself in a very beneficial manner in building
towns and strengthening the frontiers. He was a strict observer of
military discipline, erring only in this respect, that while he punished
even slight misconduct on the part of the common soldiers, he allowed
the crimes of the officers of rank and of the generals to proceed to
greater and greater lengths, and shut his ears against every complaint
that was