I'm trying to find/confirm two anecdotes about (I think) Cato (not sure which, Elder or Younger). They both refer to being modest in the face of one's own greatness.
The first has Cato being asked during the unveiling of a new statue, "Why is there no statue of you among these statues of great men?" His answer was to the effect that, "I'd rather be asked why there is no statue of me among the great man, than be asked why there is one."
The second sees Cato at some banquet. He chooses to sit away from the head of the table where the VIPs are, and instead to sit much further down. A friend asks him "Why are you sitting so low down; surely you'll have a seat up near the host?" Cato replies "I'd rather sit low down and then be asked to move up, that to sit high up and be asked to move down"
Can anyone shed any light on these? Are they true? Was it Cato? Most important, do you have a source for them. I can find the statue one in WikiQuote, but I trust that as far as I can kick it. And I can't find the dinner party one at all. thanks.