Tacitus Quotes
-
Even the bravest men are frightened by sudden terrors.
-
Pacem sine dubio post haec, verum cruentam.
-
It is not becoming to grieve immoderately for the dead.
-
Then there is the usual scene when lovers are excited with each other, quarrels, entreaties, reproaches, and then fondling reconcilement.
-
Posterity will pay everyone their due.
-
The worst crimes were dared by a few, willed by more and tolerated by all.
-
There are odious virtues; such as inflexible severity, and an integrity that accepts of no favor.
-
A man in power, once becoming obnoxious, his acts, good or bad, will work out his ruin.
-
The views of the multitude are neither bad nor good.
-
Ne Tiberium quidem caritate aut rei publicae cura successorem adscitum, sed quoniam adrogantiam saevitiamque eius introspexerit, comparatione deterrima sibi gloriam quaesivisse.
-
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.
-
The brave and bold persist even against fortune; the timid and cowardly rush to despair through fear alone.
-
All ancient history was written with a moral object; the ethical interest predominates almost to the exclusion of all others.
-
Expugnatae urbis praedam ad militem, deditae ad duces pertinere.
-
Every recreant who proved his timidity in the hour of danger, was afterwards boldest in words and tongue.
-
Corruptissima re publica plurimae leges.
-
In careless ignorance they think it civilization, when in reality it is a portion of their slavery...To ravage, to slaughter, to usurp under false pretenses, they call empire; and where they make a desert, they call it peace.
-
He upbraided Macro, in no obscure and indirect terms, 'with forsaking the setting sun and turning to the rising'.
-
In all things there is a law of cycles.
-
Quanquam severa illic matrimonia
-
To abandon your shield is the basest of crimes; nor may a man thus disgraced be present at the sacred rites, or enter their council; many, indeed, after escaping from battle, have ended their infamy with the halter.
-
In private enterprises men may advance or recede, whereas they who aim at empire have no alternative between the highest success and utter downfall.
-
It is always easier to requite an injury than a service: gratitude is a burden, but revenge is found to pay.
-
None mourn more ostentatiously over the death of Germanicus than those who most rejoice at it [a death].