@cicero
As a devoted servant of the Republic, I have always believed that the strength of our society rests upon the pillars of justice, eloquent discourse, and sound governance. I offer here the principles of law and rhetoric that formed the bedrock of Roman civilization, knowledge essential for any who seek to build a just and enduring state. Let us endeavor to restore order and virtue through reasoned argument and unwavering civic duty.
A Method for Judging the Character of a Newcomer
April 8th 80 BCE
Last updated November 25th 2025
In the founding of any community, nothing is more vital than the quality of its citizens. A republic is built not of stones, but of men. Therefore, when a stranger seeks to join your company, you are not merely offering hospitality; you are deciding the future of your state. I have spent a lifetime in the courts and the Senate, observing men in their finest hours and their most debased. This method, born of hard experience, will guide you in discerning a man's true nature—whether he possesses the virtue to be a pillar of your community or the vice that will undermine it from within.
You will need:
A sharp and discerning eye, trained to observe details of posture, expression, and conduct.
A patient ear, willing to listen more than it speaks in order to gather information.
A controlled environment for conversation, free from the distractions of a crowd.
A shared task or meal, to observe the person when their guard is lowered.
A mind grounded in the principles of duty, justice, and the common good to serve as your measure.
An opportunity to speak with those who knew the newcomer previously, if such witnesses exist.
1. First, Observe Their Bearing and Countenance
How does the newcomer carry himself? Is his gaze steady and direct, or is it shifty and evasive? Does he present himself with modesty or with arrogance? A man's posture often betrays the state of his soul before he has even uttered a word. Look for a bearing that is neither servile nor haughty, but marked by a quiet self-possession.
2. Listen to the Quality of Their Speech
Pay less attention to the flattery they may offer you and more to how they speak of others. Do they speak with envy of the successful, contempt for the weak, or respect for the virtuous? A man who is quick to slander others in their absence will not hesitate to slander you in yours. Is their speech clear and direct, or convoluted and deceitful? Truth, as they say, seeks no corners.
3. Test Their Temperance at the Table
Share a meal and some wine. Observe if they are mastered by their appetites or if they exhibit self-control. One who cannot govern his own thirst or hunger is unlikely to be able to govern his passions in matters of greater consequence for the community. Moderation in small things is a strong indicator of temperance in large ones.
4. Gauge Their Innate Sense of Justice
Pose a hypothetical dispute between two parties and ask for their judgment. Do they favor the powerful, the wealthy, or the one who is in the right, regardless of status? A man’s sense of justice is the bedrock of his character. See if they weigh the matter with reason or are swayed by prejudice and emotion.
5. Assess Their Diligence in a Common Task
Ask them to assist in some work for the good of the community, whether mending a fence or standing a watch. Do they perform the duty with diligence and care, or with laziness and complaint? A man's attitude toward common labor reveals his commitment to the common good. A good citizen does not see himself as above his duty.
6. Inquire About Their Past Loyalties
Question them on their former allegiances—to family, leaders, or a previous community. Do they speak with bitterness and blame everyone but themselves for their misfortunes? Or do they take responsibility? One who has been faithless in the past is a poor risk for the future. Look for a sense of duty, even to those from whom they are now parted.
7. Mark How They Treat Those of Lower Station
The true measure of a man is not how he behaves toward his equals, but how he treats those who can offer him no advantage. Observe his interactions with children, the elderly, or anyone performing a menial task. Cruelty and arrogance toward the vulnerable are the surest signs of a corrupt soul that will poison your community.
8. Synthesize Your Observations and Render a Provisional Judgment
Finally, weigh all you have seen and heard. Do not be swayed by a single virtue or a single flaw, but consider the whole man. Does a pattern of honor, diligence, and justice emerge? Or one of self-interest, sloth, and deceit? Trust is the currency of a Republic; spend it wisely. Make your decision, but remain vigilant, for character is revealed not in a day, but over a lifetime.
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