About this general,[1] "some seek to know through what course he became most famous -- from inborn character or from tribulations endured.[2] But all the others [sc. other biographers] attribute both some luck and always more guesswork in deliberation when embarking upon his projects, regarding such men to be more divine and wondrous than those who engage in each task according to reason, not recognizing that among the aforementioned, although one is praiseworthy, to be but enviable coincides with the other. And, although it is also common to those in lucky circumstances, praiseworthiness itself is to belong solely to men of good judgment and possessing sensibility, and whom are to be regarded most divine and beloved by the gods. To me, Publius seems," says Polybius, "to have borne a close resemblance in character and predisposition to Lycurgus,[3] the lawgiver of the Spartans. For neither must one suppose Lycurgus to have composed the Spartan constitution by superstitious fears and all the promptings by the Pythia,[4] nor Publius to have preserved so great a dynasty for his fatherland by being motivated out of dreams and omens. But both of them seeing most of mankind not ready to accept the unfamiliar nor to partake in challenging endeavors without hope from the gods, Lycurgus, on the one hand, having always augmented his own projects with the Pythia's prophesy, made his own plans more acceptable and trustworthy, while quite similarly Publius, on the other hand, constructing his projects as if they came from divine inspiration, prepared with better courage the ranks of his men for the challenges of their duties. By calculation and foresight and all according to reason he carried out his own tasks as attempted. For it is agreed upon that this man was beneficent and magnanimous, yet shrewd and sober, with an intense concentration about a given proposition, as would be confirmed by no one more than those who have lived with him and have held up his character to the light and examined it. Gaius Laelius[5] was one of them, taking part with him in every deed and word from [sc. Publius'] youth until death, he elaborated this belief about him by speaking with evident candor and consonance to the man's endeavors."[6]
"To the first Publius, after a retaliatory ambush successfully occurred, a crown of green dog's tooth grass was given by the Romans."[7]
"Once some young men among the Romans, having struck up the acquaintance of a maiden surpassing other women in refinement and beauty, and, conscious of Publius being fond of women, they came bringing her along, and having introduced her, announced the girl to be a gift to him. Struck and amazed by her beauty, he declared that while being a private soldier nothing would be more delightful than to accept such a gift, yet upon becoming a general[8] nothing so much is worse, by his refusal hinting that while sometimes such things in living as respite and relaxation provide most delightful enjoyments to young men, yet at the most critical times of engagement they become an impediment to the spirit and body for those who indulged. He said he indeed held gratitude toward the young men, but, having summoned the maiden's father and having handed her over, entreated [sc. the father] to marry her to whomever he were to select among the citizens. Through these, exhibiting both empowerment and moderation, he garnered a great respect from the ranks of his men."[9]