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: kings

Ex nobilitate: from nobility

Duces: 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").