Tacitus Quotes
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He possessed a peculiar talent of producing effect in whatever he said or did.
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The solitude lends much appeal, because a sea without a harbour surrounds it. Even a modest boat can find few anchorage, and nobody can go ashore unnoticed by the guards. Its winter is mild because it is enclosed by a range of mountains which keeps out the fierce temperature; its summer is unequal. The open sea is very pleasant and it has a view of a beautiful bay.
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All this is unauthenticated, and I shall leave it open.
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In all things there is a law of cycles.
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A bitter jest, when it comes too near the truth, leaves a sharp sting behind it.
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In private enterprises men may advance or recede, whereas they who aim at empire have no alternative between the highest success and utter downfall.
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None mourn more ostentatiously over the death of Germanicus than those who most rejoice at it [a death].
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I am my nearest neighbour.
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The persecution of genius fosters its influence.
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For I deem it to be the chief function of history to rescue merit from oblivion, and to hold up before evil words and evil deeds the terror of the reprobation of posterity.
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Power acquired by guilt was never used for a good purpose.
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We are corrupted by good fortune.
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Laws were most numerous when the commonwealth was most corrupt.
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Seek to make a person blush for their guilt rather than shed their blood.
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In stirring up tumult and strife, the worst men can do the most, but peace and quiet cannot be established without virtue.
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All inconsiderate enterprises are impetuous at first, but soon lanquish.
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The brave and bold persist even against fortune; the timid and cowardly rush to despair though fear alone.
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If you would know who controls you see who you may not criticise.
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Augustus gradually increased his powers, taking over those of the senate, the executives and the laws. The aristocracy received wealth and position in proportion to their willingness to accept slavery. The state had been transformed, and the old Roman character gone for ever. Equality among citizens was completely abandoned. All now waited on the imperial command.
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The unknown always passes for the marvellous.
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None grieve so ostentatiously as those who rejoice most in heart.
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The wicked find it easier to coalesce for seditious purposes than for concord in peace.
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That cannot be safe which is not honourable.
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Style, like the human body, is specially beautiful when, so to say, the veins are not prominent, and the bones cannot be counted, but when a healthy and sound blood fills the limbs, and shows itself in the muscles, and the very sinews become beautiful under a ruddy glow and graceful outline.