Tacitus on the Germans

Some inherit privilege, others earn command. Tacitus on the Germans."Reges ex nobilitate, duces ex virtute sumunt.""They choose their kings from nobility, their leaders from virtue."Reges: kingsEx nobilitate: from nobilityDuces: leaders (military leaders in this context)Ex virtute: from virtue Sumunt: "they take" or "they choose" is the present active indicative third-person plural of sumere ("to take, choose, select").