Editing Civics (section)

==== Aurelius ====
In his ''[[Meditations]]'', [[Marcus Aurelius]] tells of how he was educated as a citizen to value [[free speech]],<ref>[[Marcus Aurelius]]. [http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2680/2680-h/2680-h.htm ''Meditations'']. Book I, Section III. "Not to be offended with other men's liberty of speech, and to apply myself unto philosophy." [[Project Gutenberg]].</ref> to refrain from rhetoric and giving hortatory lectures,<ref>Aurelius. [http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2680/2680-h/2680-h.htm ''Meditations'']. Book I, Section IV. "And then, that I did not fall into the ambition of ordinary sophists, either to write tracts concerning the common theorems, or to exhort men unto virtue and the study of philosophy by public orations; as also that I never by way of ostentation did affect to show myself an active able man, for any kind of bodily exercises. And that I gave over the study of rhetoric and poetry, and of elegant neat language."</ref> and to perceive the defects of tyranny.<ref>Aurelius. [http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2680/2680-h/2680-h.htm ''Meditations'']. Book I, Section VIII. "Of Fronto, to how much envy and fraud and hypocrisy the state of a tyrannous king is subject unto, and how they who are commonly called [Eupatridas Gk.], i.e. nobly born, are in some sort incapable, or void of natural affection."</ref> From his brother he imbibed a specific ideal for the Roman state:{{blockquote|He it was also that did put me in the first conceit and desire of an equal commonwealth, administered by justice and equality; and of a kingdom wherein should be regarded nothing more than the good and welfare of the subjects.<ref>Aurelius. [http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2680/2680-h/2680-h.htm ''Meditations'']. Book I, Section XI.</ref>}} He also followed the example of his adopted father [[Antoninus Pius]], who he said kept careful watch of government administration and finances, was open to hearing ideas about how to serve the common good, and cared neither for ambition nor pandering to the popular will:{{blockquote| Again, that secrets he neither had many, nor often, and such only as concerned public matters: his discretion and moderation, in exhibiting of the public sights and shows for the pleasure and pastime of the people: in public buildings. [''sic''] congiaries, and the like. In all these things, having a respect unto men only as men, and to the equity of the things themselves, and not unto the glory that might follow.<ref>Aurelius. [http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2680/2680-h/2680-h.htm ''Meditations'']. Book I, Section XIII.</ref>}} Aurelius was also taught by his father how to live as a public figure restrained by modesty:{{blockquote|That I lived under the government of my lord and father, who would take away from me all pride and vainglory, and reduce me to that conceit and opinion that it was not impossible for a prince to live in the court without a troop of guards and followers, extraordinary apparel, such and such torches and statues, and other like particulars of state and magnificence; but that a man may reduce and contract himself almost to the state of a private man, and yet for all that not to become the more base and remiss in those public matters and affairs, wherein power and authority is requisite.<ref>Aurelius. [http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2680/2680-h/2680-h.htm ''Meditations'']. Book I, Section XIV.</ref>}}