Does he also get the ability to use his office well? Why do I still try to get into Caesar's inner circle? A man throws dried figs and nuts on the ground. Children grab them and fight over them. Adults don't — they think it's not worth it. But if someone threw shells around, even children wouldn't bother picking them up. Provinces get handed out — let children worry about that. Money gets distributed — let children worry about that. High offices get passed around — let children scramble for them, let them get shut out, get beaten up, kiss the hands of whoever's giving them out and kiss the hands of his slaves too.
Does he also obtain the power of using his office well? Why do I still strive to enter (Cæsar's chamber)? A man scatters dried figs and nuts: the children seize them, and fight with one another; men do not, for they think them to be a small matter. But if a man should throw about shells, even the children do not seize them. Provinces are distributed: let children look to that. Money is distributed; let children look to that. Prætorships, consulships, are distributed; let children scramble for them, let them be shut out, beaten, kiss the hands of the giver, of the slaves: