In these modern days we have contemporary records as to prominent persons.

Of the characters of those who lived in long-past ages we generally fail to have any clear idea, because we lack those close chronicles which are necessary for the purpose.

What insight have we into the personality of Alexander the Great, or what insight had Plutarch, who wrote about him?
As to Samuel Johnson, we seem to know every turn of his mind, having had a Boswell.

Alexander had no Boswell.
But here is a man belonging to those past ages of which I speak who was his own Boswell, and after such a fashion that, since letters were invented, no records have ever been written in language more clear or more attractive.

It is natural that we should judge out of his own mouth one who left so many more words behind him than did any one else, particularly one who left words so pleasant to read.