[15] _Hac tempestate_, the same as _hoc tempore_. Sallust frequently uses _tempestas_ in this sense, though certainly the time which he paints in such dark colours--namely, the period after the murder of Caesar, in B.C. 44--was an agitated and stormy one. [16] 'Who have obtained by fraud an honour or honourable office,' _quibus honos contigit_. [17] _Honestus_, 'honoured,' or 'honourable;' for _honestus_ (from _honor_) is both the one who is intrusted with an honourable office, and in general he who is worthy of an honour. The persons here spoken of were _honesti_ in the first, but not in the second sense. [18] It might seem doubtful as to whether _parentes_ here means 'obeying persons'--that is, subjects of the Roman state--or 'kinsmen,' 'relatives.' We believe the latter to be the case, because to control subjects by force was not deemed improper by the ancients. Sallust elsewhere also combines _patria et parentes_ (_Catil._ 6, _Jug._ 87), thereby expressing the idea of a free and equal _civitas_, which is to be convinced, not forced, and to be governed by magistrates chosen by itself, and not by a despotic ruler. The word _importunus_ properly characterises the rudeness and unbearableness of a despot or tyrant. [19] 'Even if you have the power, and intend to punish actual crimes in the state'--whereby Sallust intimates that a tyrannical government may actually introduce improvements, as history proves to have been the case at all times. The subjunctive is used with _quamquam_, because the author speaks only of a possibility, and also because an indefinite person is addressed by the second person singular. Compare Zumpt, S 831, 3. [20] _Portendere_ is here the same as 'to bring with one's self,' or 'to be followed by.' It is a very sound remark, that by violent changes in a constitution, improvements may indeed be effected, but that at the same time these are accompanied or followed by many acts of injustice and crime. [21] _Frustra niti_, 'to strive in vain (namely, to effect improvements), if, after all, nothing but hatred is incurred by it, is extreme folly.' [22] _Nisi forte_, 'unless perhaps'--which surely cannot be the case with any sensible man. Respecting this use of _nisi forte_, expressing an improbable supposition, see Zumpt, S 526. [23] _Libido--gratificari_, 'the inclination to gratify;' for _libido tenet_ is only a paraphrase for _libet_. This statement is striking, and but too true, for there are men who think it an honour to sacrifice their own conviction and independence for the purpose of pleasing persons in power.