1As soon as he grew up, strong in body, handsome in looks, but above all powerful in intellect, he did not give himself up to be corrupted by luxury or idleness, but, as is the custom of that people, he rode, he threw the javelin; 1he competed in running with those of his own age and, though he surpassed them all in glory, he was nevertheless dear to all; 1besides, he spent most of his time in hunting, and was first or among the first to strike the lion and other wild beasts: he did a great deal and spoke very little of himself. 2Although Micipsa had at first been pleased by these things, thinking that Jugurtha's merit would be a glory to his kingdom, nevertheless, when he realised that the young man was growing more and more in strength while his own life was far spent and his children were small, he was deeply disturbed by the matter and turned many things over in his mind.
3He was frightened by human nature, greedy for power and headlong in satisfying its desires, and besides by the opportunity offered by his own age and his children's, which leads even men of moderate ambition astray in the hope of gain, and also by the enthusiasm of the Numidians kindled for Jugurtha, from which he was anxious that some rebellion or war might arise, if he had such a man killed by treachery.