[39] Therefore he excelled in all knightly accomplishments, he and those about him, because of their constant practice.

Such was the example he set before his friends.

But he also kept his eye on others, and would single out those who worshipped noble deeds, and reward them with gifts, and high commands, and seats at festivals, and every kind of honour.
And thus their hearts were filled with ambition, and every man longed to outdo his fellows in the eyes of Cyrus.
[40] But we seem to learn also that Cyrus thought it necessary for the ruler not only to surpass his subjects by his own native worth, but also to charm them through deception and artifice.

At any rate he adopted the Median dress, and persuaded his comrades to do likewise; he thought it concealed any bodily defect, enhancing the beauty and stature of the wearer.

[41] The shoe, for instance, was so devised that a sole could be added without notice, and the man would seem taller than he really was.
So also Cyrus encouraged the use of ointments to make the eyes more brilliant and pigments to make the skin look fairer.