Timoleon and Aemilius Paullus both took a great command and laid it down without making themselves kings. Timoleon crossed to Sicily, threw down the tyrants, and beat Carthage at the Crimisus. Aemilius ended the kingdom of Macedon at Pydna.

Plutarch praises both for staying plain after the victory. Aemilius would not touch the spoil. Timoleon went home to Syracuse and answered to the citizens. It is one of the few comparisons in which both men come out clean.