Tacitus Quotes
Top 100 wise famous quotes and sayings by Tacitus
Tacitus Famous Quotes & Sayings
Discover top inspirational quotes from Tacitus on Wise Famous Quotes.
Indeed, the crowning proof of their valour and their strength is that they keep up their superiority without harm to others.
The brave and bold persist even against fortune; the timid and cowardly rush to despair though fear alone.
A cowardly populace which will dare nothing beyond talk.
[Lat., Vulgus ignavum et nihil ultra verba ausurum.]
[Lat., Vulgus ignavum et nihil ultra verba ausurum.]
In private enterprises men may advance or recede, whereas they who aim at empire have no alternative between the highest success and utter downfall.
The lust of dominion burns with a flame so fierce as to overpower all other affections of the human breast.
Bodies are slow of growth, but are rapid in their dissolution.
[Lat., Corpora lente augescent, cito extinguuntur.]
[Lat., Corpora lente augescent, cito extinguuntur.]
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.
Forethought and prudence are the proper qualities of a leader.
[Lat., Ratio et consilium, propriae ducis artes.]
[Lat., Ratio et consilium, propriae ducis artes.]
Many who seem to be struggling with adversity are happy; many, amid great affluence, are utterly miserable.
He realized that monarchy was essential to peace, and that the price of freedom was violence and disorder.
It was rather a cessation of war than a beginning of peace.
[Lat., Bellum magis desierat, quam pax coeperat.]
[Lat., Bellum magis desierat, quam pax coeperat.]
It is found by experience that admirable laws and right precedents among the good have their origin in the misdeeds of others.
In seasons of tumult and discord bad men have most power; mental and moral excellence require peace and quietness.
Modest fame is not to be despised by the highest characters.
[Lat., Modestiae fama neque summis mortalibus spernenda est.]
[Lat., Modestiae fama neque summis mortalibus spernenda est.]
Every recreant who proved his timidity in the hour of danger, was afterwards boldest in words and tongue.
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.
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.
Eloquence wins its great and enduring fame quite as much from the benches of our opponents as from those of our friends.
When men of talents are punished, authority is strengthened.
[Lat., Punitis ingeniis, gliscit auctoritas.]
[Lat., Punitis ingeniis, gliscit auctoritas.]
Then there is the usual scene when lovers are excited with each other, quarrels, entreaties, reproaches, and then fondling reconcilement.
You might believe a good man easily, a great man with pleasure. -Bonum virum facile crederes, magnum libenter
Every great example of punishment has in it some injustice, but the suffering individual is compensated by the public good.
To ravage, to slaughter, to steal, this they give the false name of empire; and where they create a desert, they call it peace.
The repose of nations cannot be secure without arms, armies cannot be maintained without pay, nor can the pay be produced without taxes
Good turns are pleasing only in so far as they seem repayable; much beyond that we repay with hatred, not gratitude.
Prosperity is the measure or touchstone of virtue, for it is less difficult to bear misfortune than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure.