Tacitus Quotes
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In seasons of tumult and discord bad men have most power; mental and moral excellence require peace and quietness.
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The most seditious is the most cowardly.
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More faults are often committed while we are trying to oblige than while we are giving offense.
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A cowardly populace which will dare nothing beyond talk.
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Who the first inhabitants of Britain were, whether natives or immigrants, remains obscure; one must remember we are dealing with barbarians.
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Kindness, so far as we can return it, is agreeable.
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Things are not to be judged good or bad merely because the public think so.
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The desire of glory is the last infirmity cast off even by the wise.
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By general consent, he would have been capable of ruling, had he not ruled.
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Crime succeeds by sudden despatch; honest counsels gain vigor by delay.
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It is found by experience that admirable laws and right precedents among the good have their origin in the misdeeds of others.
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Legions and fleets are not such sure bulwarks of imperial power as a numerous family.
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Remedies are more tardy in their operation than diseases.
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Conspicuous by his absence.
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So true is it that all transactions of preeminent importance are wrapt in doubt and obscurity; while some hold for certain facts the most precarious hearsays, others turn facts into falsehood; and both are exaggerated by posterity.
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So as you go into battle, remember your ancestors and remember your descendants.
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Tacitus has written an entire work on the manners of the Germans. This work is short, but it comes from the pen of Tacitus, who was always concise, because he saw everything at a glance.
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Adversity deprives us of our judgment.
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So obscure are the greatest events, as some take for granted any hearsay, whatever its source, others turn truth into falsehood, and both errors find encouragement with posterity.
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The Romans brought devestation, but they called it peace.
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The grove is the centre of their whole religion. It is regarded as the cradle of the race and the dwelling-place of the supreme god to whom all things are subject and obedient.
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Viewed from a distance, everything is beautiful.
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Cassius and Brutus were the more distinguished for that very circumstance that their portraits were absent.
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An honorable death is better than a dishonorable life.