"Kings are more prone to mistrust the good than the bad; and they are always afraid of the virtues of others"

This quote by Sallust speaks to the intrinsic instability of those in power. Kings, or those in positions of authority, are more likely to be suspicious of those who are great as well as virtuous than those who are bad. This is because they are afraid of the capacity of those who are great and also virtuous, and the power they may need to challenge the status quo. This instability is rooted in the concern of being toppled or changed by a person who is even more capable as well as virtuous. Kings are likewise scared of the potential of those who are great to gain even more power and impact than them. This quote speaks with the power characteristics of those in positions of authority and also just how they can be threatened by those that are great as well as virtuous. It likewise talks to the value of identifying the possibility of those that are great and also virtuous, and how they can be a pressure for favorable modification.