Cato the Younger never met his great-grandfather with whom he shared a name. He was born some 55 years after his towering relative died. And yet it’s hard to argue that his life was not shaped extensively by this man. Both were industrious and simple, and hard as nails. In fact, Cato the Younger spent his whole life trying to live up to the model his grandfather created for him. It’s why he tried so hard to be disciplined and serious. It’s why he was so deeply committed to the preservation of the Roman Republic. Even though his grandfather was no fan of philosophy, Cato worshipped his natural stoic approach to life. 

No works survive to us from Cato the Younger, and only one from Cato the Elder. But we are lucky to have that one work from Cato the Elder. It’s the oldest surviving form of Latin writing. It also shows us the mindset of the Catos and what the younger—who would have obviously read his great-grandfather’s work, On Agriculture—learned from this great man.

In On Agriculture, which dates to around 160 BC, Cato the Elder gives his reader (and his descendants) straightforward advice about the art of farming and, as these things often happen, about life itself:

“In rainy weather, try to find something to do indoors. Clean up, rather than be idle. Remember that even though work stops, expenses run on nonetheless.” 

“Save as carefully as possible the dry fodder which you have stored against winter, and remember how long winter lasts.”

“Be careful not to rashly refuse to learn from others.”

“Build your dwelling house in accordance with your means.”

“Be a good neighbor and do not let your people commit offenses. If you are popular in the neighborhood, it will be easier for you to sell your produce…if trouble comes upon you, which God forbid, they will be glad to stand by you.” 

“The master should have the selling habit, not the buying habit.”

“A farm is like a man—however great the income, if there is extravagance but little is left.”

“If you are late in doing one thing you will be late in doing everything.”

Cato the Elder, like a lot of grandfathers, was what you might call a lower-case Stoic. He didn’t know he was practicing philosophy, but he lived it. We will never get to meet him, just as many people aren’t lucky enough to meet their grandfathers—let alone great-grandfathers—but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn from their example, that we can’t be like Cato. Both of them.

P.S. This was originally sent on November 17, 2020. Sign up today for the Daily Stoic’s email and get our popular free 7-day course on Stoicism.