Chapter five examines Fabius Cunctator, the proponent of military non-engagement or “delaying” during the Hannibalic war. According to legend, Fabius was criticized for cowardice until his strategy was vindicated by events; then he was glorified for his foresight and concern for the commonwealth’s safety. This striking revaluation of his performance from “bad” to “good” within a single moral category (gloria) comes about because Fabius is presented as recognizing, alone, a moral nuance in the Hannibalic war: that displaying valor in battle does not, for the moment, support the commonwealth’s long-term survival. The Fabian exemplum schools audiences in distinguishing among related but distinct moral concepts (especially gloria and virtus), and in understanding what kinds of actions truly serve the community. This moral refinement has rhetorical and political consequences, as later generals and statesmen invoke Fabius to justify disregarding traditional values when they believe circumstances require it.