word and in deed.

III. In spite of this, however, when Themistokles was using every kind
of political manoeuvre to thwart him, he was forced to retaliate by
similar measures, partly in order to defend himself, and partly to
check the power of his opponent, which depended on the favour shown
him by the people. He thought it better that he should occasionally do
the people some slight wrong than that Themistokles should obtain
unlimited power. At last, when Themistokles even proposed some useful
measure, he opposed it and threw it out. On this occasion he could not
refrain from saying, as he left the public assembly, that the
Athenians could not be saved unless they threw both himself and
Themistokles into the _barathrum_.[19] Another time he brought forward
a bill, which was vehemently debated upon, but was at length carried.
But just before the votes of the people were given, he, perceiving
from what had been said that it would prove a bad law, withdrew it.
Frequently he made use of other persons to bring forward propositions,
lest the public should suffer from the contest which would otherwise
take place between Themistokles and himself. Indeed, his evenness of
temper was the more remarkable when contrasted with the changefulness
of other politicians, for he was never unduly excited by the honours
which were bestowed upon him, and bore misfortune with a quiet
cheerfulness, thinking it to be his duty to serve his country, not
merely without being paid for it in money, but without even gaining
honour for so doing. This was the reason, I suppose, that when
AEschylus's verses on Amphiaraus wore being recited in the theatre;

"Not just to seem, but just he loves to be;
And deep he ploughs his noble mind with thought,
To reap a harvest thence of great designs,"

all men turned and looked towards Aristeides, thinking that he came
nearest to this ideal virtue.

IV. He stood up vigorously for justice, not merely when it was his
interest and that of his friends, but when it was in favour of his
enemies and contrary to his own personal feelings to do so. It is said
that once when arguing a cause against one of his enemies in a court
of law, the judges refused to hear the other party speak in his own
defence, after listening to the speech of Aristeides, but were about
to condemn him unheard. At this Aristeides came forward and vigorously
supported his antagonist's claim to be allowed his legal right of
reply. A