Giovan-Simone, two years younger (he was born in 1479), after leading a vagabond life for some while, joined Buonarroto in a cloth-business provided for them by Michelangelo.

He was a worthless fellow, and gave his eldest brother much trouble.
Sigismondo, born in 1481, took to soldiering; but at the age of forty he settled down upon the paternal farm at Settignano, and annoyed his brother by sinking into the condition of a common peasant.
The constant affection felt for these not very worthy relatives by Michelangelo is one of the finest traits in his character.

They were continually writing begging letters, grumbling and complaining.

He supplied them with funds, stinting himself in order to maintain them decently and to satisfy their wishes.

But the more he gave, the more they demanded; and on one or two occasions, as we shall see in the course of this biography, their rapacity and ingratitude roused his bitterest indignation.