[443] From what precedes, supply _mihi videtur_. [444] Marius, according to the ordinary usage of the Latin language, calls his appointment to the consulship a _beneficium_, 'a favour,' of the Roman people. [445] 'Is more difficult;' namely, than is commonly believed, quam _opinio_ est. [446] _Procedunt_, 'benefit the state,' 'promote the general good.' [447] _Vertit_, intransitively, 'has become changed;' the same as _vertit se_, or _versum est_. See Zumpt, S 145. [448] _Prosapia_ for _familia_, an ancient and obsolete word, and intentionally put into the mouth of Marius to ridicule the pretensions of the nobility. [449] Marius calls those nobles who do not make themselves acquainted with the duties of public offices, until they have obtained them, _praeposteri homines_; that is, 'men who do afterwards that which they ought to do before;' for, he adds, it is true one must first be appointed to an office, in order to do anything in it, but an active preparation ought to precede. [450] 'I consider, indeed, all men to be equal by nature, but I make this distinction, that the bravest is the most noble.' By _quamquam_, Marius breaks off the question about noble or ignoble birth (Zumpt, S 341); _sed_ introduces a new distinction between men; namely that of merit. [451] _Faciant idem_, 'let them despise their own ancestors likewise.' [452] _Hujusce rei_; that is, _commemorationis majorum meorum_, 'I cannot speak of my ancestors.' [453] _Meamet_, commonly with the addition of _ipse_. Zumpt, S 139, note. [454] 'That no one may interpret my modesty as if I were conscious of my own weakness and want of ability.' Modesty often shows itself mainly in silence. _Conscientia_ is the consciousness of a person both of his valuable qualities and of his deficiencies. _Ducere in aliquid_, 'to consider a thing as;' 'to interpret a thing as:' compare chap. 82: _vertere in superbiam_. [455] _Militaria dona_ are presents which a general gives publicly to brave soldiers, and which they either wear as honourable distinctions, or which they kept and preserved in their houses. Such presents were with the ancients what orders are in modern times. Among them are frequently mentioned lances, bridles, chains worn round the neck (_torques_), bracelets (_armillae_), pins or brooches (_fibulae_) to fasten the cloak, and crowns (_coronae_). It was less common, but very honourable, to receive a flag (_vexillum_) attached to a pole. [456] 'I consider this as something too unimportant.' _Parum_ is used substantively. [457] 'Greek literature has not benefited its professors (that is, the Greek nation) in regard to political virtue:' inasmuch as the Greek states had been unable to protect their political liberty either against kings and tyrants, or against foreigners. _Virtus_ signifies especially 'bravery,' 'valour;' but it has also a more general