Adopt the principle of doing what is most serviceable and noble and of saying what is most true and just

While men who are in public life and desire to be in favor must adopt the principle of doing what is most serviceable and noble and of saying what is most true and just, yet they must at the same time not neglect to study and consider well how in everything they say and do they may convince the people of their graciousness and human sympathy, since those who are careless of these matters are thought by their fellow-citizens to be disagreeable and offensive. Isocrates. Antidosis. Speech 15. Section 132.

Historical note: When Commodus' behaviour became increasingly erratic throughout the early 190s, a conspiracy led to his assassination on 31 December 192. Pertinax, who was serving as urban prefect at this time, was hurried to the Praetorian Camp and proclaimed emperor the following morning. Pertinax attempted to emulate the restrained practices of Marcus Aurelius, but the Praetorian Guard expected a generous donative on his ascension, and when they were disappointed, agitated until he produced the money, selling off Commodus' property, including the concubines and youths Commodus kept for his sexual pleasures. Then Pertinax attempted to impose stricter military discipline upon the pampered Praetorians. On 28 March 193, Pertinax was at his palace when, according to the Historia Augusta, a contingent of some three hundred soldiers of the Praetorian Guard rushed the gates. Although advised to flee, Pertinax then attempted to reason with them, and was almost successful before being struck down by one of the soldiers. Pertinax must have been aware of the danger he faced by assuming the purple, for he refused to use imperial titles for either his wife or son, thus protecting them from the aftermath of his own assassination. After Septimius Severus took the throne after a short stint by Didius Julianus, he recognized Pertinax as a legitimate emperor, executed the soldiers who killed him, and not only pressured the Senate to deify him and provide him a state funeral, but also added the cognomen of Pertinax to his own name.

Image: Bust of Pertinax at the Capitoline Museums in Rome, Italy.