4
I have often heard that Quintus Maximus,Quintus Maximus] Quintus Fabius Maximus, of whom Ennius says, Unus qui nobis cunctando restituit rem; Non ponebat enim rumores ante salutem. Publius Scipio,Publius Scipio] Scipio Africanus the Elder, the conqueror of Hannibal. See c. 5. and many other illustrious men of our country, were accustomed to observe, that, when they looked on the images of their ancestors, they felt their minds irresistibly excited to the pursuit of honor.To the pursuit of honor] Ad vertutem. Virtus in the same sense as in virtutis viâ, c. 1. Not, certainly, that the wax,The wax] Ceram illam. The images or busts of their ancestors, which the nobility kept in the halls of their houses, were made of wax. See Plin. H. N. xxxv., 2. or the shape, had any such influence; but, as they called to mind their forefathers' achievements, such a flame was kindled in the breasts of those eminent persons, as could not be extinguished till their own merit had equaled the fame and glory of their ancestors.