1 X. I received you--into my kingdom] “In meuum regnum accepi.” By these words it is only signified that Micipsa received Jugurtha into his palace so as to bring him up with his own children. The critics who suppose that there is any allusion to the adoption, or a pretended intention of it on the part of Micipsa, are evidently in the wrong.
2 Pre-eminent merit] “Gloriâ.” Our English word glory is too strong.
3 By the fidelity which you owe to my kingdom] “Per regni fidem.” This seems to be the best of all the explanations that have been offered of these words. “"Per fidem quam tu rex (futurus) mihi regi præstare debes."” Burnouf. “"Per fidem quæ decet in regno, i.e. regem."” Dietsch. “"Per eam fidem, quâ esse decet eum qui regnum obtinet."” Kritzius.
4 It is not armies, or treasures, etc.] ᾿Ου τόδε τὸ χρυσοῦν σκῆπτρον τὸ τὴν βασιλείαν διασῶζόν ἐστιν, ἀλλὰ οἱ πολλοὶ φίλοι σκῆπτρον βασιλεῦσιν ἀληθέστατον καὶ ἀσφαλέστατον. "It is not this golden scepter that can preserve a kingdom; but numerous friends are to princes their trust and safest scepter." Xen. Cyrop, viii. 7, 14.
5 And who can be a greater friend than one brother to another?] “Quis autem amicior, quam frater fratri?” “"Νόμιζ᾽ ἀδελφοὺς τοὺς ἀληθινοὺς φίλους. Menander."” Wasse.
6 That I have not adopted a better son, &c.] “Ne ego meliores liberos sumsisse videar quàm genuisse.” As there is no allusion to Micipsa's adoption of any other son than Jugurtha, Sallust's expression liberos sumsisse can hardly be defended. It is necessary to give son in the singular, in the translation.
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