1But still, if an explanation must be given, two things were sorely missed in his candidacy for the praetorship, both of which helped Murena greatly in his candidacy for the consulship: one was the expectation of a show, which had grown both through a certain rumour and through the eager talk of his rivals; the other, that those whom he had had as witnesses of his generosity and his courage throughout his province and his service as legate had not yet come home. 1Fortune kept both of these in reserve for him for his candidacy for the consulship. 1For the army of Lucius Lucullus, which had assembled for his triumph, was likewise on hand for Murena at the elections, and the most magnificent show, which his praetorian candidacy had lacked, his praetorship supplied.
38Do these seem to you small aids and supports towards the consulship: the goodwill of the soldiers, and the soldiers' vote, which carries weight both in itself through its numbers and through its influence with their families, and which, above all, in declaring a consul, has great authority even with the whole Roman people? 38For at consular elections it is generals who are chosen, not interpreters of words. 38That is why talk like this carries weight: 'He revived me when I was wounded, he presented me with booty; 38under his command we took the camp, we joined battle; 38he never laid more toil on a soldier than he took on himself, and he was not only brave but lucky too.' 38How much do you think this counts towards men's opinion and goodwill?
38Indeed, if there is such religious scruple at those elections that up to now the omen of the prerogative century has always prevailed, what wonder is it that in this man's case the reputation and talk of his good fortune prevailed?