Philosopher. [The one] who said that it is not easy for men to philosophize, but rather impossible. When I heard this saying I loathed it at the time, thinking that it was not truly said and not worthy to be said. But Sallustius knew how to state the inner truth. For he did not complain about the philosophers simply, but he had a natural hatred of evil and (in Herakleitos' words) he reviled the mob and opposed all who erred. In whatever way he could, from any excuse, he criticized and ridiculed each man, sometimes seriously, but for the most part enjoying his humorous and jesting character. Sallustius was moderately witty and naturally inclined and eager to make jokes; he had this tendency in a high degree himself, but also had it from his family background. Sallustius is also the man who called the true belief about the gods the fifth virtue, although it seems sometimes to be in the most wicked men. Besides, when some of the foreigners were praising his other qualities, but saying that he was lacking one thing, that he did not hold the same beliefs about the gods as the majority,[1] he said, "Allow me to keep this to ward off my nemesis." Meeting Pamprepios when he was at the height of his powers, when he asked ostentatiously, "What do the gods have to do with men?" [Sallustius] said, "Who does not know that I have never yet become a god nor you a man?"[2] So much about Sallustius. His philosophy was rather in the Cynic style.[3]
[Note] that Sallustius, the commander of the palace under Julian, was a man exceptional for love of mankind; he had so much mildness and gentleness towards everyone that even that Marcellus, who when he was Caesar treated him insolently, and was very fearful because of his earlier actions ... indeed when the boy was examined for rebellion because of his friendship for Constantine, he imposed punishment on the young man, but paid exceptional honor to Marcellus.[4]