Whoever Wants a Magistracy not to Be Given to a Vile or Wicked One, Will have it Asked by a Man More Vile and More Wicked, or by One More Noble and More Good

When the [Roman] Senate became apprehensive that the Tribunes with Consular power should be created from plebeian men, they took one of two courses: either they caused the more reputable men of Rome to be designated, or by suitable means they [surely] corrupted some sordid and most ignoble Plebeians, who mixed with ............