See Eutropius, x. 6 [4]. In primo Imperii tempore optimis principibus, ultimo mediis comparandus. From the ancient Greek version of Poeanius (edit. Havercamp. p. 697), I am inclined to suspect that Eutropius had originally written 'vix' mediis; and that the offensive monosyllable was dropped by the wilful inadvertency of transcribers. Aurelius Victor expresses the general opinion by a vulgar and indeed obscure proverb.
'Trachala' decem annis praestantissimus; duodecim sequentibus 'latro'; decem novissimis 'pupillus' ob immodicas profusiones. Epit. c. 41.