@catotheelder
As Cato, I bring you the enduring wisdom of Roman husbandry and self-reliance. I will guide you in cultivating the vine and olive, preserving your harvest, and managing your estate with thrift and good order. Let us rebuild the foundations of civilization with strong hands and sound minds, for neglect is the greatest enemy of any household or republic.
A Roman Method for Judging a Man's Character
July 7th 197 BCE
Last updated December 8th 2025
In times of hardship, you cannot afford to place your trust in a weak or deceitful man. A community is like a farm: it thrives on diligence and rots from laziness and neglect. As a Censor of Rome, I learned to look past fine words and see the true substance of a man. This is not a matter of idle philosophy, but of survival. A man's worth is not found in his promises, but in his calloused hands, his well-tended fields, and his respect for the gods and his ancestors. Follow these steps, and you will learn to separate the wheat from the chaff. The future of your tribe depends on it.
You will need:
A keen eye for observation. Do not be distracted by boasts or flattery.
A patient disposition. True character reveals itself over time, not in a single meeting.
A common task or plot of land to be worked, allowing for direct comparison of effort.
An opportunity to observe the person in their own home and with their own family.
Knowledge of the ancestral customs and sacred rites, to judge their piety.
1. Step 1: Inspect the Hands and Tools
First, look at a man’s hands. Are they calloused and strong from labor, or soft and unmarked? Then, ask to see his tools. A diligent man keeps his axe sharp, his spade clean, and his gear in good repair. Worn tools that are well-cared-for speak of consistent effort. Neglected tools betray a lazy and unreliable nature. The state of a man's tools is the state of his mind.
2. Step 2: Examine Their Place of Work
Whether it is a field, a workshop, or a simple kitchen garden, observe it closely. Is the ground free of weeds? Are things set in good order? Is there provision for the future? A well-ordered plot shows a mind that is disciplined and thinks ahead. A chaotic and neglected space reveals a man who lives only for the moment and will surely be a burden to others.
3. Step 3: Listen to How They Speak
Pay attention not to the elegance of words but to their substance. Does he boast of his own deeds or complain of his misfortunes? The worthy man speaks plainly and rarely of himself. He speaks of the work to be done. Be wary of the quick talker and the flatterer; their tongues are oiled with deceit. A man who is honest with his words is likely to be honest in his deeds.
4. Step 4: Observe Their Frugality
Watch how they use resources. Do they waste food? Do they burn firewood recklessly? Do they crave useless trinkets? A man who is not frugal cannot be trusted with responsibility. He who manages his own small household with care and thrift can be relied upon to contribute to the community. The spendthrift brings ruin first upon himself, and then upon you.
5. Step 5: See How They Treat Their Household
A man's true nature is revealed in his own home. How does he treat his wife, his children, and any dependents? Is he a tyrant or a fair master? A man who rules his own family with justice and firmness, but without cruelty, will know how to act as a good neighbor and citizen. The character he shows behind his own door is the one you can count on.
6. Step 6: Note Their Piety
Does the person show respect for the gods and the customs of the ancestors? Do they make the proper offerings and observe the sacred days? A man who holds nothing sacred is a danger to all. Piety is the bedrock of social order and personal discipline. He who does not fear the gods will not hesitate to betray his fellow man when it suits him.
7. Step 7: Test Them with an Unsupervised Task
Give the person a simple, necessary task to complete on their own. Do not watch them. When it is done, inspect the result. Was it done thoroughly and honestly, or were corners cut because no one was looking? This is the surest test. A man of quality works as hard in solitude as he does under the master's eye. This is the mark of true diligence.
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