His mind could conceive nothing better than Consuls, Praetors, Censors, Tribunes, and the rest of it; with, however, the stipulation that the Consuls and the Praetors should be honest men.

The condition was no doubt an impossible one; but this he did not or would not see.

Pompey himself was fairly honest.

Up to this time he had shown no egregious lust for personal power.

His hands were clean in the midst of so much public plunder.