ent, in regard to those of others he was compassionate, very often
even passionate. For indeed sometimes, filled with wrath, he was stirred
to take the part of one against another, that by _delivering the poor_
and restraining the _strong_[1138] he might take thought in equal
measure for the salvation of all. Therefore he was angry; but it was in
order that he might not sin by not being angry, according to the words
of the Psalm, _Be ye angry and sin not._[1139] Anger did not rule him,
but he himself _ruled his spirit_.[1140] He had power over himself.
Assuredly he who had the victory over himself could not be _mastered by
anger_.[1141] His anger was kept in hand. When it was summoned it came,
going forth, not bursting forth; it was brought into action by his will,
not by impulse. He was not set on fire by it, but used it.[1142] As well
in this as in ruling and restraining all the motions both of his inner
and his outer man[1143] his judgement was careful, his caution great.
For he did not give so much attention to all, as to leave himself alone
out of account, as, in his universal solicitude, to disregard only
himself. He was careful of himself also. He _guarded himself_.[1144] In
fact, he was so wholly his own, so wholly also belonged to all, that his
love seemed in no degree to hinder or delay him from his guardianship of
himself, nor his concern for his own person from the common good.[1145]
If you saw the man busied in the midst of crowds, involved in cares, you
would say he was born for his country, _not for himself_.[1146] If you
saw the man alone and dwelling by himself, you would suppose that he
lived for God alone and for himself.

4. Without tumult he went about among tumults; without ease he spent the
time which he gave to ease. How could he be taking his ease[1147] when
he _was occupied in the statutes of the Lord_?[1148] For though he had
time free from the necessities of the peoples, yet had he none
unoccupied by holy meditations, by the work of prayer, by the ease
itself of contemplation. In the time of ease he spoke gravely or not at
all. His mien was either courteous, or humble and self-restrained.
Assuredly--a trait which is counted worthy of much praise among the
wise--_his eye was in his head_,[1149] never flying forth except when it
was obedient to power. His laughter displayed love, or provoked it: but
even so it was rare. Sometimes indeed, it came forth, but it was never
forced, intimating the gla