conceived. See Zumpt, S 526.
[201] _Quantum importunitatis habent_, 'according to the high degree of
impudence and arrogance which they possess.' Sallust might have said,
_quae eorum importunitas est_, or _pro eorum importunitate_. See
Zumpt, S 705.
[202] _Rex_, according to Roman notions, always contains the idea of an
absolute ruler, and is therefore frequently used in the sense of 'a
tyrant.' The idea of a constitutional or limited monarchy was not
known in antiquity, except perhaps at Sparta.
[203] _Perditum eatis_; that is, _perdatis_. See Zumpt, S 669.
[204] Practically, it is quite correct, that in the administration of a
state it is more necessary to punish criminals than to reward good
services; for it is impossible that all good citizens should be
rewarded with external distinctions; but if a criminal remains
unpunished, he does harm by his example, and undermines the organism
of the state.

32. Haec atque alia hujuscemodi saepe dicundo Memmius populo persuadet,
uti L. Cassius, qui tum praetor erat, ad Jugurtham mitteretur eumque
interposita fide publica Romam duceret, quo facilius indicio regis Scauri
et reliquorum, quos pecuniae captae arcessebant,[205] delicta
patefierent. Dum haec Romae geruntur, qui in Numidia relicti a Bestia
exercitui praeerant, secuti morem imperatoris sui plurima et
flagitiosissima facinora fecere. Fuere, qui auro corrupti elephantos
Jugurthae traderent; alii perfugas vendere, pars ex pacatis praedas
agebant; tanta vis avaritiae in animos eorum veluti tabes invaserat. At
Cassius, perlata rogatione[206] a G. Memmio ac perculsa omni nobilitate,
ad Jugurtham proficiscitur eique timido et ex conscientia diffidenti
rebus suis persuadet, quoniam se populo Romano dedisset, ne vim quam
misericordiam ejus experiri mallet. Privatim praeterea fidem suam