<head>Speech of Aemilius Paullus</head>Aemilius, now speaking in Latin, exhorted those present at the council to learn from what they now witnessed — showing them Perseus who was present — never to boast unduly of achievements and never be overbearing and merciless in their conduct to anyone, in fact never place any reliance on present prosperity.
"It is chiefly," he said, "at those moments when we ourselves or our country are most successful that we should reflect on the opposite extremity of fortune;
for only thus, and then with difficulty, shall we prove moderate in the season of prosperity.
The difference," he said, "between foolish and wise men lies in this, that the former are schooled by their own misfortunes and the latter by those of others."
Walbank Commentary