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the Volscians； but merely had prosecuted the war； which he now
abandoned； for the satisfaction of his own resentment； then the
noble thing would have been； not to spare his country for his mother's
sake； but his mother in and with his country； since both his mother
and his wife were part and parcel of that endangered country。 After
harshly repelling public supplications； the entreaties of ambassadors；
and the prayers of priests； to concede all as a private favour to
his mother was less an honour to her than a dishonour to the city
which thus escaped； in spite； it would seem； of its own demerits
through the intercession of a single woman。 Such a grace could；
indeed； seem merely invidious； ungracious； and unreasonable in the
eyes of both parties； he retreated without listening to the
persuasions of his opponents or asking the consent of his friends。 The
origin of all lay in his unsociable； supercilious； and self…willed
disposition； which； in all cases； is offensive to most people； and
when combined with a passion for distinction passes into absolute
savageness and mercilessness。 Men decline to ask favours of the
people； professing not to need any honours from them； and then are
indignant if they do not obtain them。 Metellus； Aristides； and
Epaminondas certainly did not beg favours of the multitude； but that
was because they； in real truth； did not value the gifts which a
popular body can either confer or refuse； and when they were more than
once driven into exile； rejected at elections； and condemned in courts
of justice； they showed no resentment at the ill…humour of their
fellow…citizens； but were willing and contented to return and be
reconciled when the feeling altered and they were wished for。 He who
least likes courting favour； ought also least to think of resenting
neglect； to feel wounded at being refused a distinction can only arise
from an overweening appetite to have it。
Alcibiades never professed to deny that it was pleasant to him to be
honoured； and distasteful to him to be overlooked； and； accordingly；
he always tried to place himself upon good terms with all that he met；
Coriolanus's pride forbade him to pay attentions to those who could
have promoted his advancement； and yet his love of distinction made
him feel hurt and angry when he was disregarded。 Such are the faulty
parts of his character； which in all other respects was a noble one。
For his temperance； continence； and probity he claims to be compared
with the best and purest of the Greeks； not in any sort or kind with
Alcibiades； the least scrupulous and most entirely and most entirely
careless of human beings in all these points。
THE END