to move to laughter, and his countenance was seldom relaxed even into a smile; he was not quick nor prone to anger, but when he had been moved to anger, he was hard to pacify.  Accordingly when he began to learn, he was dull and slow to conceive, but when he had conceived, he held fast and remembered well.  And it is generally the case that those who have a good natural capacity are more ready at recollection,[655] but those have a strong memory who learn with labour and trouble; for all learning is in a manner a branding on the mind.  It appears too that Cato’s difficulty of persuasion made learning a matter of more labour to him; for learning is in truth a kind of passive condition, and to be easily persuaded is incident to those who have less power of resistance.  It is for this reason that young men are more easily persuaded than old men, and sick persons than those who are whole; and generally, with those in whom the doubting faculty is weakest, that which is proposed meets the readiest acceptance.  However, they say that Cato was obedient to his paedagogus and did everything that he was bid, but he would ask for the reason of everything, and inquire the Why.  His paedagogus also was a good-tempered man, and was readier at a reason than a blow:  his name was Sarpedon.

II.  While Cato was still a boy, the Allies[656] of the Romans were agitating to obtain the Roman franchise; and a certain Pompaedius Sillo,[657] a man of military talent and of the highest repute, and a friend of Drusus, lodged with him several days, during which he became familiar with the youths, and he said, “Come now, pray your uncle on our behalf to exert himself to get the franchise for us.”  Now, Caepio with a smile nodded assent, but as Cato made no answer and looked on the strangers steadily and sternly, Pompaedius said, “But you, young man, what reply have you for us?  Can you not help the strangers with your uncle, like your brother?” As Cato still would not speak, but by his silence and his expression showed that he rejected their entreaty, Pompaedius took him up and holding him through the window as if he intended to drop him down, told him either to assent or he would let him fall, and at the same time he assumed an angry tone and several times he swung the boy backwards and forwards as he held him in his hands.  Now, when Cato had borne this for some time, unmoved and fearless, Pompaedius gently putting him down said to his friends, “What a blessing[658] to Italy that he is a child; for if he were a man, I do not think we should have a single vote among the people.”  On another occasion when a kinsman on his birthday invited to supper other boys and Cato with them, in order to pass the time they played in a part of the house by themselves, younger and older mixed together; and the game consisted of trials, and accusations, and carrying off those who were convicted.  Now, one of the boys convicted, who was of a handsome presence, being dragged off by an older boy to a chamber and shut up, called on Cato for aid.  Cato soon perceiving what was going on came to the door, and pushing through those who were standing before it and endeavouring to stop him, took the boy out; and in a passion he went off home with him and other boys accompanied him.