do whatever they wish because they were not brought to book at the very start, are overbold and are trying to make the rest of you, who are guilty of no irregularity, likewise mutinous, it becomes necessary for me to devote some care to them and to give them my attention. [-29-] In general, no society of men can preserve its unity and continue to exist, if the criminal element be not disciplined:  if the part afflicted does not receive proper medicine, it causes all the rest, as in fleshly bodies, to be sick at the same time.  And least of all in armies can discipline be relaxed, because when the wrongdoers have strength they become more daring and corrupt the excellent also by causing them to grow dejected and to believe that they will obtain no benefit from right behavior.  Wherever the insolent element has the advantage, there inevitably the decent element has the worst of it:  and wherever injustice is unpunished, there uprightness also goes without reward.  What is there you could assert is doing right, if these men are doing no wrong?  How could you logically desire to be honored, if these men do not endure their just punishment?  Are you ignorant of the fact that if one class is freed from the fear of retribution and the other is deprived of the hope of prizes, no good is brought about, but only numberless ills?  Hence if you really practice valor and excellence, you should detest these men as enemies.  What is friendly is not distinguished from what is hostile by any characteristic of birth, but is determined by habits and actions, which if they are good can make the alien intimate, but if they are bad can alienate everything, even kindred. [-30-] And you should speak in your own defence, because by the behavior of these few we must all inevitably fall into disrepute, even if we have done no wrong.  Every one who is acquainted with our numbers and progress refers the errors of the few to us all; and thus though we do not share in their gains, we bear an equal share of their reproach.  Who would not be indignant at hearing that we had the name of Romans, but did deeds of the Celtae?  Who would not lament the sight of Italy ravaged like Britain?  Is it not outrageous for us to cease injuring the possessions of the Gauls, because they are subdued, and then to devastate the property of dwellers south of the Alps, as if they were some Epirots, or Carthaginians, or Cimbi?  Is it not disgraceful for us to give ourselves airs and say that we were the first of the Romans to cross the Rhine and to sail the ocean, and then to plunder our native land which is safe from harm at the hands of foes and to receive blame instead of praise, dishonor in place of honor, loss instead of gain, punishment instead of prizes?[-31-] Do not think that because you are in the army, that makes you stronger than the citizens at home.  You are both Romans, and they like you both have been and will be soldiers.  Nor yet again that because you have arms, it is permitted you to injure.  The laws