“I am aware, my fellow-citizens, that most men do not appear as candidates before you for an office, and conduct themselves in it when they have obtained it, under the same character; that they are at first industrious, humble, and modest, but afterward lead a life of indolence and arrogance. But to me it appears that the contrary should be the case; for as the whole state is of greater consequence than the single office of consulate or prætorship, so its interests ought to be managed with greater solicitude than these magistracies are sought.
In Marius's speech to the citizens in regards to winning the consulship, he refers to other candidates running or in office as basically inadequate for the position. He claims that while their initial intentions might have been pure and whole hearted, the candidate inevitably turn to a life of arrogance, unable to purely perform the tasks at hand. He assures the public however that the opposite is it hand when it comes to him being in office. In Marius’s opening lines of his speech, he claims he will hold his position of power with the utmost respect for the people of Rome and keep the interests of the state at his top priority. The decline of The Roman Republic is outlined in the first line of the speech by Marius stating that none of his predecessors have been able to avoid letting their power cloud their judgment, basically saying that once in office, the power inevitably goes to their heads. I believe this is a clear sign of democratic overreach as Marius explains the lack of respect others have had as head of Consulship or Prætorship. The focus of keeping the inserts of the state becomes corroded with ideas of power and control. The idea of putting ones needs for power and monetary gain over the people of Rome parallels Sallut’s thesis of how moral decline was the ultimate downfall of the Roman Republic. While Marius’s early speech outlines the difficulties as head of the Consul, he reiterates that while he may not be of higher class as some other candidates (meaning he cannot rely on his money or ancestors), the citizens should have faith and trust that he will not lead in vain or arrogance.