Page "Roman censor" Paragraph 4

This part of the censors ' office invested them with a peculiar kind of jurisdiction, which in many respects resembled the exercise of public opinion in modern times ; for there are innumerable actions which, though acknowledged by every one to be prejudicial and immoral, still do not come within the reach of the positive laws of a country ; as often said, " immorality does not equal illegality ".

Even in cases of real crimes, the positive laws frequently punish only the particular offence, while in public opinion the offender, even after he has undergone punishment, is still incapacitated for certain honours and distinctions which are granted only to persons of unblemished character.