"Distinguished ancestors shed a powerful light on their descendants, and forbid the concealment either of their merits or of their demerits"

This quote by Sallust speaks with the value of comprehending one's origins and the impact it has on their descendants. It suggests that the accomplishments and failures of one's forefathers ought to not be forgotten or concealed away, however rather need to be acknowledged and celebrated. By understanding the successes and failures of our ancestors, we can learn from their experiences and use them to notify our own decisions. This quote likewise speaks to the concept of legacy and how our actions today will form the future of our descendants. It is a pointer that our actions today will have an enduring impact on our descendants which we need to strive to make choices that will benefit them in the long run. Eventually, this quote functions as a suggestion that our ancestors have left us a powerful tradition and that we need to strive to honor it.