commands on a like footing.  Fabius harbored no wrath against either the citizens or Rufus:  he excused them for an act prompted by human nature and was for contenting himself if in any way they might survive.  He desired the preservation and victory of the commonwealth rather than an individual reputation, and continued to believe that excellence depends not on decrees but on each man’s spirit, and that a man is better or worse not as a result of any ordinance but as a result of his own wisdom or ignorance.

Rufus, however, who had not shown the right spirit in the first place was now more than ever puffed up and could not contain himself because he had obtained through his insubordination the further prize of equal authority with the dictator.  And so he kept asking for the right to hold sole sway a day at a time, or for several days alternately.  But Fabius, in the fear that he might work some harm if he should get possession of the undivided power, would not consent to either plan of his, but divided the army in such a way that they each, like the consuls, had a separate force.  And immediately Rufus encamped apart, in order that he might give a practical illustration of the fact that he held sway in his own right and not subject to the dictator. (Valesius, p. 597.  Zonaras, 8, 26.)

15. ¶ It is customary for men who are ruled to concur in opinion easily.  Especially often do they join forces when the object is to slander men of good reputation, for the reason that it is their nature to help in augmenting any power just come to light but to bring low what has already obtained preeminence.  And though one can not immediately measure one’s self with men who surpass one through ampler resources, growth in an unexpected quarter brings hope of a like good fortune to others that dwell in obscurity. [Footnote:  This may come from a speech of M. Terentius Varro in favor of equalizing the powers of dictator and of master-of-horse.](Mai, p. 194.) 16. ¶ Rufus, who obtained equal authority with the dictator, after a defeat by the Carthaginians altered his attitude (for disasters chasten somehow those who are not completely fools) and voluntarily gave up his leadership.  And for this all praised him loudly.  He was not held worthy of censure because he had failed to recognize at first what was fitting, but was commended for not hesitating to change his mind.  They deemed it an act of good fortune for a man to choose right at the start a proper course of conduct, but they thoroughly approved the course of one, who, having learned from practical experience the better way, was not ashamed to face squarely about.  From this episode, too, it was clearly shown how much one man differs from another and true excellence from the reputation therefor.  What had been taken from Fabius by jealousy and prejudice of the citizens, he received back with good-will and even at the request of his colleague. (Mai, p. 194.  Zonaras, 8, 26.) 17. ¶ The same man when about to