Tacitus Quotes

Top 100 wise famous quotes and sayings by Tacitus

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Tacitus Famous Quotes & Sayings

Discover top inspirational quotes from Tacitus on Wise Famous Quotes.

Tacitus quotes: Indeed, the crowning proof of their valour and their strength is that they keep up their superiority without harm to others. Indeed, the crowning proof of their valour and their strength is that they keep up their superiority without harm to others.
Tacitus quotes: There can never be a complete confidence in a power which is excessive. There can never be a complete confidence in a power which is excessive.
Tacitus quotes: For it is the rare fortune of these days that a man may think what he likes and say what he thinks. For it is the rare fortune of these days that a man may think what he likes and say what he thinks.
Tacitus quotes: If we must fall, we should boldly meet our fate. If we must fall, we should boldly meet our fate.
Tacitus quotes: Victor and vanquished never unite in substantial agreement. Victor and vanquished never unite in substantial agreement.
Tacitus quotes: Noble character is best appreciated in those ages in which it can most readily develop. Noble character is best appreciated in those ages in which it can most readily develop.
Tacitus quotes: Whatever is unknown is magnified. Whatever is unknown is magnified.
Tacitus quotes: The brave and bold persist even against fortune; the timid and cowardly rush to despair though fear alone. The brave and bold persist even against fortune; the timid and cowardly rush to despair though fear alone.
Tacitus quotes: A cowardly populace which will dare nothing beyond talk.[Lat., Vulgus ignavum et nihil ultra verba ausurum.] A cowardly populace which will dare nothing beyond talk.
[Lat., Vulgus ignavum et nihil ultra verba ausurum.]
Tacitus quotes: In private enterprises men may advance or recede, whereas they who aim at empire have no alternative between the highest success and utter downfall. In private enterprises men may advance or recede, whereas they who aim at empire have no alternative between the highest success and utter downfall.
Tacitus quotes: The lust of dominion burns with a flame so fierce as to overpower all other affections of the human breast. The lust of dominion burns with a flame so fierce as to overpower all other affections of the human breast.
Tacitus quotes: So as you go into battle, remember your ancestors and remember your descendants. So as you go into battle, remember your ancestors and remember your descendants.
Tacitus quotes: There are odious virtues; such as inflexible severity, and an integrity that accepts of no favor. There are odious virtues; such as inflexible severity, and an integrity that accepts of no favor.
Tacitus quotes: The wicked find it easier to coalesce for seditious purposes than for concord in peace. The wicked find it easier to coalesce for seditious purposes than for concord in peace.
Tacitus quotes: We are corrupted by good fortune.[Lat., Felicitate corrumpimur.] We are corrupted by good fortune.
[Lat., Felicitate corrumpimur.]
Tacitus quotes: If you would know who controls you see who you may not criticise. If you would know who controls you see who you may not criticise.
Tacitus quotes: In the struggle between those seeking power there is no middle course. In the struggle between those seeking power there is no middle course.
Tacitus quotes: Crime succeeds by sudden despatch; honest counsels gain vigor by delay. Crime succeeds by sudden despatch; honest counsels gain vigor by delay.
Tacitus quotes: Bodies are slow of growth, but are rapid in their dissolution.[Lat., Corpora lente augescent, cito extinguuntur.] Bodies are slow of growth, but are rapid in their dissolution.
[Lat., Corpora lente augescent, cito extinguuntur.]
Tacitus quotes: He that fights and runs away, May turn and fight another day; But he that is in battle slain, Will never rise to fight again. He that fights and runs away, May turn and fight another day; But he that is in battle slain, Will never rise to fight again.
Tacitus quotes: Forethought and prudence are the proper qualities of a leader.[Lat., Ratio et consilium, propriae ducis artes.] Forethought and prudence are the proper qualities of a leader.
[Lat., Ratio et consilium, propriae ducis artes.]
Tacitus quotes: A man in power, once becoming obnoxious, his acts, good or bad, will work out his ruin. A man in power, once becoming obnoxious, his acts, good or bad, will work out his ruin.
Tacitus quotes: The worst hatred is that of relatives. The worst hatred is that of relatives.
Tacitus quotes: It is a principle of nature to hate those whom you have injured. It is a principle of nature to hate those whom you have injured.
Tacitus quotes: When a woman has lost her chastity she will shrink from nothing. When a woman has lost her chastity she will shrink from nothing.
Tacitus quotes: None mourn more ostentatiously than those who most rejoice at it [a death]. None mourn more ostentatiously than those who most rejoice at it [a death].
Tacitus quotes: Many who seem to be struggling with adversity are happy; many, amid great affluence, are utterly miserable. Many who seem to be struggling with adversity are happy; many, amid great affluence, are utterly miserable.
Tacitus quotes: He realized that monarchy was essential to peace, and that the price of freedom was violence and disorder. He realized that monarchy was essential to peace, and that the price of freedom was violence and disorder.
Tacitus quotes: It was rather a cessation of war than a beginning of peace.[Lat., Bellum magis desierat, quam pax coeperat.] It was rather a cessation of war than a beginning of peace.
[Lat., Bellum magis desierat, quam pax coeperat.]
Tacitus quotes: Deos fortioribus adesse. The gods support those who are stronger. Deos fortioribus adesse. The gods support those who are stronger.
Tacitus quotes: The love of fame is a love that even the wisest of men are reluctant to forgo. The love of fame is a love that even the wisest of men are reluctant to forgo.
Tacitus quotes: Valor is of no service, chance rules all, and the bravest often fall by the hands of cowards. Valor is of no service, chance rules all, and the bravest often fall by the hands of cowards.
Tacitus quotes: They terrify lest they should fear. They terrify lest they should fear.
Tacitus quotes: The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise. The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.
Tacitus quotes: Custom adapts itself to expediency. Custom adapts itself to expediency.
Tacitus quotes: Rumor does not always err; it sometimes even elects a man. Rumor does not always err; it sometimes even elects a man.
Tacitus quotes: A bad peace is worse than war. A bad peace is worse than war.
Tacitus quotes: One who is allowed to sin, sins less One who is allowed to sin, sins less
Tacitus quotes: Christianity is a pestilent superstition. Christianity is a pestilent superstition.
Tacitus quotes: Necessity reforms the poor, and satiety reforms the rich. Necessity reforms the poor, and satiety reforms the rich.
Tacitus quotes: The most seditious is the most cowardly. The most seditious is the most cowardly.
Tacitus quotes: No hatred is so bitter as that of near relations. No hatred is so bitter as that of near relations.
Tacitus quotes: It is found by experience that admirable laws and right precedents among the good have their origin in the misdeeds of others. It is found by experience that admirable laws and right precedents among the good have their origin in the misdeeds of others.
Tacitus quotes: An honorable death is better than a dishonorable life.[Lat., Honesta mors turpi vita potior.] An honorable death is better than a dishonorable life.
[Lat., Honesta mors turpi vita potior.]
Tacitus quotes: In all things there is a law of cycles. In all things there is a law of cycles.
Tacitus quotes: In seasons of tumult and discord bad men have most power; mental and moral excellence require peace and quietness. In seasons of tumult and discord bad men have most power; mental and moral excellence require peace and quietness.
Tacitus quotes: Modest fame is not to be despised by the highest characters.[Lat., Modestiae fama neque summis mortalibus spernenda est.] Modest fame is not to be despised by the highest characters.
[Lat., Modestiae fama neque summis mortalibus spernenda est.]
Tacitus quotes: The most detestable race of enemies are flatterers. The most detestable race of enemies are flatterers.
Tacitus quotes: Every recreant who proved his timidity in the hour of danger, was afterwards boldest in words and tongue. Every recreant who proved his timidity in the hour of danger, was afterwards boldest in words and tongue.
Tacitus quotes: Remedies are slower in their operation than diseases. Remedies are slower in their operation than diseases.
Tacitus quotes: Old things are always in good repute, present things in disfavor. Old things are always in good repute, present things in disfavor.
Tacitus quotes: In all things there is a kind of law of cycles.[Lat., Rebus cunctis inest quidam velut orbis.] In all things there is a kind of law of cycles.
[Lat., Rebus cunctis inest quidam velut orbis.]
Tacitus quotes: All enterprises that are entered into with indiscreet zeal may be pursued with great vigor at first, but are sure to collapse in the end. All enterprises that are entered into with indiscreet zeal may be pursued with great vigor at first, but are sure to collapse in the end.
Tacitus quotes: The lust for power, for dominating others, inflames the heart more than any other passion. The lust for power, for dominating others, inflames the heart more than any other passion.
Tacitus quotes: Candor and generosity, unless tempered by due moderation, leads to ruin. Candor and generosity, unless tempered by due moderation, leads to ruin.
Tacitus quotes: Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay; falsehood by haste and uncertainty. Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay; falsehood by haste and uncertainty.
Tacitus quotes: Laws were most numerous when the commonwealth was most corrupt Laws were most numerous when the commonwealth was most corrupt
Tacitus quotes: The gods are on the side of the stronger. The gods are on the side of the stronger.
Tacitus quotes: War will of itself discover and lay open the hidden and rankling wounds of the victorious party. War will of itself discover and lay open the hidden and rankling wounds of the victorious party.
Tacitus quotes: It is human to hate those whom we have injured. It is human to hate those whom we have injured.
Tacitus quotes: Reckless adventure is the fool's hazard. Reckless adventure is the fool's hazard.
Tacitus quotes: It is human nature to hate the one whom you have hurt. It is human nature to hate the one whom you have hurt.
Tacitus quotes: It is of eloquence as of a flame; it requires matter to feed it, and motion to excite it; and it brightens as it burns. It is of eloquence as of a flame; it requires matter to feed it, and motion to excite it; and it brightens as it burns.
Tacitus quotes: Formerly we suffered from crimes; now we suffer from laws. Formerly we suffered from crimes; now we suffer from laws.
Tacitus quotes: For he would twist a word or a look into a crime and treasure it up in his memory. For he would twist a word or a look into a crime and treasure it up in his memory.
Tacitus quotes: Even the bravest men are frightened by sudden terrors. Even the bravest men are frightened by sudden terrors.
Tacitus quotes: Eloquence wins its great and enduring fame quite as much from the benches of our opponents as from those of our friends. Eloquence wins its great and enduring fame quite as much from the benches of our opponents as from those of our friends.
Tacitus quotes: By general consent, he would have been capable of ruling, had he not ruled. By general consent, he would have been capable of ruling, had he not ruled.
Tacitus quotes: When men of talents are punished, authority is strengthened.[Lat., Punitis ingeniis, gliscit auctoritas.] When men of talents are punished, authority is strengthened.
[Lat., Punitis ingeniis, gliscit auctoritas.]
Tacitus quotes: Everything unknown is magnified.[Lat., Omne ignotum pro magnifico est.] Everything unknown is magnified.
[Lat., Omne ignotum pro magnifico est.]
Tacitus quotes: Then there is the usual scene when lovers are excited with each other, quarrels, entreaties, reproaches, and then fondling reconcilement. Then there is the usual scene when lovers are excited with each other, quarrels, entreaties, reproaches, and then fondling reconcilement.
Tacitus quotes: An eminent reputation is as dangerous as a bad one. An eminent reputation is as dangerous as a bad one.
Tacitus quotes: The more corrupt the republic, the more numerous the laws. The more corrupt the republic, the more numerous the laws.
Tacitus quotes: When men are full of envy they disparage everything, whether it be good or bad. When men are full of envy they disparage everything, whether it be good or bad.
Tacitus quotes: When perfect sincerity is expected, perfect freedom must be allowed. When perfect sincerity is expected, perfect freedom must be allowed.
Tacitus quotes: It belongs to human nature to hate those you have injured. It belongs to human nature to hate those you have injured.
Tacitus quotes: Liberty is given by nature even to mute animals. Liberty is given by nature even to mute animals.
Tacitus quotes: You might believe a good man easily, a great man with pleasure. -Bonum virum facile crederes, magnum libenter You might believe a good man easily, a great man with pleasure. -Bonum virum facile crederes, magnum libenter
Tacitus quotes: A bitter jest, when it comes too near the truth, leaves a sharp sting behind it. A bitter jest, when it comes too near the truth, leaves a sharp sting behind it.
Tacitus quotes: Every great example of punishment has in it some injustice, but the suffering individual is compensated by the public good. Every great example of punishment has in it some injustice, but the suffering individual is compensated by the public good.
Tacitus quotes: To ravage, to slaughter, to steal, this they give the false name of empire; and where they create a desert, they call it peace. To ravage, to slaughter, to steal, this they give the false name of empire; and where they create a desert, they call it peace.
Tacitus quotes: Conspicuous by his absence. Conspicuous by his absence.
Tacitus quotes: The lust of fame is the last that a wise man shakes off. The lust of fame is the last that a wise man shakes off.
Tacitus quotes: A desire to resist oppression is implanted in the nature of man. A desire to resist oppression is implanted in the nature of man.
Tacitus quotes: Posterity will pay everyone their due. Posterity will pay everyone their due.
Tacitus quotes: The worst crimes were dared by a few, willed by more and tolerated by all. The worst crimes were dared by a few, willed by more and tolerated by all.
Tacitus quotes: The repose of nations cannot be secure without arms, armies cannot be maintained without pay, nor can the pay be produced without taxes The repose of nations cannot be secure without arms, armies cannot be maintained without pay, nor can the pay be produced without taxes
Tacitus quotes: Good turns are pleasing only in so far as they seem repayable; much beyond that we repay with hatred, not gratitude. Good turns are pleasing only in so far as they seem repayable; much beyond that we repay with hatred, not gratitude.
Tacitus quotes: Great empires are not maintained by timidity. Great empires are not maintained by timidity.
Tacitus quotes: No one would have doubted his ability to reign had he never been emperor. No one would have doubted his ability to reign had he never been emperor.
Tacitus quotes: People flatter us because they can depend upon our credulity. People flatter us because they can depend upon our credulity.
Tacitus quotes: Such being the happiness of the times, that you may think as you wish, and speak as you think. Such being the happiness of the times, that you may think as you wish, and speak as you think.
Tacitus quotes: Lust of power is the most flagrant of all the passions Lust of power is the most flagrant of all the passions
Tacitus quotes: Things forbidden have a secret charm. Things forbidden have a secret charm.
Tacitus quotes: Prosperity is the measure or touchstone of virtue, for it is less difficult to bear misfortune than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure. Prosperity is the measure or touchstone of virtue, for it is less difficult to bear misfortune than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure.
Tacitus quotes: Crime, once exposed, has no refuge but in audacity. Crime, once exposed, has no refuge but in audacity.
Tacitus quotes: When the state is most corrupt, then the laws are most multiplied. When the state is most corrupt, then the laws are most multiplied.
Tacitus quotes: Other men have acquired fame by industry, but this man by indolence. Other men have acquired fame by industry, but this man by indolence.
Tacitus quotes: Men are more ready to repay an injury than a benefit, because gratitude is a burden and revenge a pleasure Men are more ready to repay an injury than a benefit, because gratitude is a burden and revenge a pleasure
Tacitus quotes: It is always easier to requite an injury than a service: gratitude is a burden, but revenge is found to pay. It is always easier to requite an injury than a service: gratitude is a burden, but revenge is found to pay.

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