Discover a wealth of wisdom and insight from Tacitus through their most impactful and thought-provoking quotes and sayings. Expand your perspective with their inspiring words and share these beautiful Tacitus quote pictures with your friends and followers on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or your personal blog - all free of charge. We've compiled the top 226 Tacitus quotes for you to explore and share with others.

Everything unknown is magnified.[Lat., Omne ignotum pro magnifico est.] By Tacitus Lat Omne Magnified Est Unknown

Whatever is unknown is magnified. By Tacitus Magnified Unknown

Battles against Rome have been lost and won before, but hope was never abandoned, since we were always here in reserve. We, the choicest flower of Britain's manhood, were hidden away in her most secret places. Out of sight of subject shores, we kept even our eyes free from the defilement of tyranny. We, the most distant dwellers upon earth, the last of the free, have been shielded till today by our very remoteness and by the obscurity in which it has shrouded our name. Now, the farthest bounds of Britain lie open to our enemies; and what men know nothing about they always assume to be a valuable prize ... A rich enemy excites their cupidity; a poor one, their lust for power. East and West alike have failed to satisfy them. They are the only people on earth to whose covetousness both riches and poverty are equally tempting. To robbery, butchery and rapine, they give the lying name of 'government'; they create a desolation and call it peace ... By Tacitus Rome Britain Battles Abandoned Reserve

He (Tiberius) was wont to mock at the arts of physicians, and at those who, after thirty years of age, needed counsel as to what was good or bad for their bodies. By Tacitus Tiberius Physicians Age Needed Bodies

To be rich or well-born was a crime: men were prosecuted for holding or for refusing office: merit of any kind meant certain ruin. Nor were the Informers more hated for their crimes than for their prizes: some carried off a priesthood or the consulship as their spoil, others won offices and influence in the imperial household: the hatred and fear they inspired worked universal havoc. Slaves were bribed against their masters, freedmen against their patrons, and, if a man had no enemies, he was ruined by his friends. By Tacitus Men Merit Ruin Rich Wellborn

Who, to say nothing about the perils of an awful and unknown sea, would have left Asia or Africa or Italy to look for Germany? By Tacitus Germany Asia Africa Italy Sea

Cassius and Brutus were the more distinguished for that very circumstance that their portraits were absent.[Lat., Praefulgebant Cassius atque Brutus eo ipso, quod effigies eorum non videbantur.] By Tacitus Lat Praefulgebant Brutus Cassius Absent

The images of twenty of the most illustrious families the Manlii, the Quinctii, and other names of equal splendour were carried before it [the bier of Junia]. Those of Brutus and Cassius were not displayed; but for that very reason they shone with pre-eminent lustre. By Tacitus Manlii Quinctii Junia Images Twenty

A man in power, once becoming obnoxious, his acts, good or bad, will work out his ruin. By Tacitus Power Obnoxious Acts Good Bad

He was a strange mixture of good and bad, of luxury and industry, courtesy and arrogance. In leisure he was self-indulgent, but full of vigour on service. His outward behaviour was praiseworthy, though ill was spoken of his private life. By Tacitus Bad Industry Courtesy Arrogance Strange

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. By Tacitus Appeal Solitude Lends Harbour Surrounds

Be assured those will be thy worst enemies, not to whom thou hast done evil, but who have done evil to thee. And those will be thy best friends, not to whom thou hast done good, but who have done good to thee. By Tacitus Thee Evil Thou Hast Thy

Yet the age was not so utterly destitute of virtues but that it produced some good examples.[Lat., Non tamen adeo virtutum sterile seculum, ut non et bona exempla prodiderit.] By Tacitus Lat Examples Seculum Prodiderit Age

None mourn more ostentatiously than those who most rejoice at it [a death]. By Tacitus Death Mourn Ostentatiously Rejoice

The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise. By Tacitus Enterprise Desire Safety Stands Great

Vitellius gave orders for depleting the strength of the legions and auxiliaries. Recruiting was forbidden, and discharges offered without restriction. This policy was disastrous for the country and unpopular among the soldiers, who found that their turn for work and danger came round all the more frequently, now that there were so few to share the duties. Besides, their efficiency was demoralized by luxury. Nothing was left of the old-fashioned discipline and the good rules of our ancestors, who preferred to base the security of Rome on character and not on money. By Tacitus Vitellius Auxiliaries Gave Orders Depleting

When [Servius Galba] was a commoner he seemed too big for his station, and had he never been emperor, no one would have doubted his ability to reign. By Tacitus Servius Galba Station Emperor Reign

The wicked find it easier to coalesce for seditious purposes than for concord in peace. By Tacitus Peace Wicked Find Easier Coalesce

A bad peace is even worse than war. By Tacitus War Bad Peace Worse

A bad peace is worse than war. By Tacitus War Bad Peace Worse

We are corrupted by good fortune.[Lat., Felicitate corrumpimur.] By Tacitus Lat Felicitate Fortune Corrumpimur Corrupted

Conspicuous by his absence. By Tacitus Conspicuous Absence

No hatred is so bitter as that of near relations. By Tacitus Relations Hatred Bitter

Following Emporer Nero's command, "Let the Christians be exterminated!:" ... they [the Christians] were made the subjects of sport; they were covered with the hides of wild beasts and worried to death by dogs, or nailed to crosses or set fire to, and when the day waned, burned to serve for the evening lights. By Tacitus Christians Emporer Nero Command Exterminated

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. By Tacitus Germans Tacitus Work Written Entire

Every recreant who proved his timidity in the hour of danger, was afterwards boldest in words and tongue. By Tacitus Danger Tongue Recreant Proved Timidity

The Germans themselves I should regard as aboriginal, and not mixed at all with other races through immigration or intercourse. For in former times, it was not by land but on shipboard that those who sought to emigrate would arrive; and the boundless and, so to speak, hostile ocean beyond us,is seldom entered by a sail from our world. By Tacitus Germans Aboriginal Intercourse Regard Mixed

All things atrocious and shameless flock from all parts to Rome. By Tacitus Rome Things Atrocious Shameless Flock

A shocking crime was committed on the unscrupulous initiative of few individuals, with the blessing of more, and amid the passive acquiescence of all. By Tacitus Individuals Shocking Crime Committed Unscrupulous

Zealous in the commencement, careless in the end. By Tacitus Zealous Commencement Careless End

Benefits are acceptable, while the receiver thinks he may return them; but once exceeding that, hatred is given instead of thanks.[Lat., Beneficia usque eo laeta sunt dum videntur exsolvi posse; ubi multum antevenere pro gratia odium redditur.] By Tacitus Lat Beneficia Benefits Acceptable Hatred

Many who seem to be struggling with adversity are happy; many, amid great affluence, are utterly miserable. By Tacitus Happy Amid Affluence Miserable Struggling

Flatterers are the worst kind of enemies.[Lat., Pessimum genus inimicorum laudantes.] By Tacitus Lat Pessimum Flatterers Enemies Laudantes

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. By Tacitus Augustus Powers Taking Senate Laws

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. By Tacitus End Enterprises Entered Indiscreet Zeal

Great empires are not maintained by timidity. By Tacitus Great Timidity Empires Maintained

The lust of fame is the last that a wise man shakes off. By Tacitus Lust Fame Wise Man Shakes

[Asiaticus responds] Ask your sons, Suillius. They will testify to my masculinity. By Tacitus Suillius Asiaticus Responds Sons Masculinity

Style, like the human body, is specially beautiful when the veins are not prominent and the bones cannot be counted. By Tacitus Style Body Counted Human Specially

Fear is not in the habit of speaking truth; when perfect sincerity is expected, perfect freedom must be allowed; nor has anyone who is apt to be angry when he hears the truth any cause to wonder that he does not hear it. By Tacitus Truth Perfect Fear Expected Allowed

The views of the multitude are neither bad nor good.[Lat., Neque mala, vel bona, quae vulgus putet.] By Tacitus Lat Neque Good Mala Vel

Miseram pacem vel bello bene mutari. Even war is preferable to a shameful peace. By Tacitus Miseram Mutari Pacem Vel Bello

To rob, to ravage, to murder, in their imposing language, are the arts of civil policy. When they have made the world a solitude, they call it peace.[Lat., Auferre, trucidare, rapere, falsis nominibus imperium, atque, ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant.] By Tacitus Rob Ravage Murder Language Policy

In stirring up tumult and strife, the worst men can do the most, but peace and quiet cannot be established without virtue. By Tacitus Strife Virtue Stirring Tumult Worst

They even say that an altar dedicated to Ulysses , with the addition of the name of his father, Laertes , was formerly discovered on the same spot, and that certain monuments and tombs with Greek inscriptions, still exist on the borders of Germany and Rhaetia . By Tacitus Laertes Ulysses Rhaetia Greek Germany

Forethought and prudence are the proper qualities of a leader.[Lat., Ratio et consilium, propriae ducis artes.] By Tacitus Lat Ratio Forethought Leader Consilium

Reason and calm judgment, the qualities specially belonging to a leader. By Tacitus Reason Judgment Leader Calm Qualities

Reason and judgment are the qualities of a leader. By Tacitus Reason Leader Judgment Qualities

This I regard as history's highest function, to let no worthy action be uncommemorated, and to hold out the reprobation of posterity as a terror to evil words and deeds. By Tacitus Function Uncommemorated Deeds Regard History

Old things are always in good repute, present things in disfavor. By Tacitus Repute Present Disfavor Things Good

An eminent reputation is as dangerous as a bad one. By Tacitus Eminent Reputation Dangerous Bad

A desire to resist oppression is implanted in the nature of man. By Tacitus Man Desire Resist Oppression Implanted

Modern houses are so small we've had to train our dog to wag its tail up and down and not sideways. By Tacitus Modern Sideways Houses Small Train

The love of fame is a love that even the wisest of men are reluctant to forgo. By Tacitus Forgo Love Fame Wisest Men

The persecution of genius fosters its influence. By Tacitus Influence Persecution Genius Fosters

People flatter us because they can depend upon our credulity. By Tacitus People Credulity Flatter Depend

The sciences throw an inexpressible grace over our compositions, even where they are not immediately concerned; as their effects are discernible where we least expect to find them. By Tacitus Compositions Concerned Sciences Throw Inexpressible

The worst crimes were dared by a few, willed by more and tolerated by all. By Tacitus Willed Worst Crimes Dared Tolerated

The majority merely disagreed with other people's proposals, and, as so often happens in these disasters, the best course always seemed the one for which it was now too late. By Tacitus Proposals Disasters Late Majority Disagreed

Then there is the usual scene when lovers are excited with each other, quarrels, entreaties, reproaches, and then fondling reconcilement. By Tacitus Quarrels Entreaties Reproaches Reconcilement Usual

It was rather a cessation of war than a beginning of peace.[Lat., Bellum magis desierat, quam pax coeperat.] By Tacitus Lat Bellum Peace Desierat Quam

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. By Tacitus Events Hearsay Source Falsehood Posterity

You might believe a good man easily, a great man with pleasure. -Bonum virum facile crederes, magnum libenter By Tacitus Easily Pleasure Man Bonum Good

Indeed, the crowning proof of their valour and their strength is that they keep up their superiority without harm to others. By Tacitus Crowning Proof Valour Strength Superiority

The lust of dominion burns with a flame so fierce as to overpower all other affections of the human breast. By Tacitus Breast Lust Dominion Burns Flame

The customs of the Jews are base and abominable and owe their persistence to their depravity. Jews are extremely loyal to one another, always ready to show compassion, but towards every other people they feel only hate and enimity. As a race (the Jews are not a race, because they have mingled with the other races to the point that they are only a people, not a race), they are prone to lust; among themselves nothing is unlawful. By Tacitus Jews Depravity Race Customs Base

When men are full of envy they disparage everything, whether it be good or bad. By Tacitus Bad Men Full Envy Disparage

We extol ancient things, regardless of our own times.[Lat., Vetera extollimus recentium incuriosi.] By Tacitus Lat Vetera Things Times Incuriosi

In seasons of tumult and discord bad men have most power; mental and moral excellence require peace and quietness. By Tacitus Power Mental Quietness Seasons Tumult

Nothing mortal is so unstable and subject to change as power which has no foundation. By Tacitus Foundation Mortal Unstable Subject Change

That cannot be safe which is not honourable. By Tacitus Honourable Safe

A cowardly populace which will dare nothing beyond talk.[Lat., Vulgus ignavum et nihil ultra verba ausurum.] By Tacitus Lat Vulgus Talk Ausurum Cowardly

Secure against the designs of men, secure against the malignity of the Gods, they have accomplished a thing of infinite difficulty; that to them nothing remains even to be wished. By Tacitus Secure Gods Men Difficulty Wished

Custom adapts itself to expediency. By Tacitus Custom Expediency Adapts

There are odious virtues; such as inflexible severity, and an integrity that accepts of no favor. By Tacitus Virtues Severity Favor Odious Inflexible

Flattery labors under the odious charge of servility. By Tacitus Flattery Servility Labors Odious Charge

There was more courage in bearing trouble than in escaping from it; the brave and the energetic cling to hope, even in spite of fortune; the cowardly and the indolent are hurried by their fears,' said Plotius Firmus, Roman Praetorian Guard. By Tacitus Firmus Roman Guard Plotius Praetorian

It is found by experience that admirable laws and right precedents among the good have their origin in the misdeeds of others. By Tacitus Found Experience Admirable Laws Precedents

Crime succeeds by sudden despatch; honest counsels gain vigor by delay. By Tacitus Crime Despatch Honest Delay Succeeds

Noble character is best appreciated in those ages in which it can most readily develop. By Tacitus Noble Develop Character Appreciated Ages

The word liberty has been falsely used by persons who, being degenerately profligate in private life, and mischievous in public, had no hope left but in fomenting discord. By Tacitus Life Public Discord Word Liberty

Think of it. Fifteen whole years-no small part of a mans life.-taken from us-all the most energetic have fallen to the cruelty of the emperor. And the few that survive are no longer what we once were. Yet I find some small satisfaction in acknowledging the bondage we once suffered. Tacitus, The Agricola By Tacitus Small Agricola Fifteen Life Emperor

We have indeed left an impressive example of subservience. Just as Rome of old explored the limits of freedom, so have we plumbed the depths of slavery, robbed by informers even of the interchange of speech. We would have lost our memories as well as our tongues had it been as easy to forget as to be silent. By Tacitus Subservience Left Impressive Rome Freedom

Benefits received are a delight to us as long as we think we can requite them; when that possibility is far exceeded, they are repaid with hatred instead of gratitude. By Tacitus Benefits Exceeded Gratitude Received Delight

Bodies are slow of growth, but are rapid in their dissolution.[Lat., Corpora lente augescent, cito extinguuntur.] By Tacitus Lat Corpora Bodies Growth Dissolution

All bodies are slow in growth but rapid in decay. By Tacitus Decay Bodies Slow Growth Rapid

For he would twist a word or a look into a crime and treasure it up in his memory. By Tacitus Memory Twist Word Crime Treasure

Valor is of no service, chance rules all, and the bravest often fall by the hands of cowards. By Tacitus Valor Service Chance Cowards Rules

Those in supreme power always suspect and hate their next heir. By Tacitus Heir Supreme Power Suspect Hate

The task of history is to hold out for reprobation every evil word and deed, and to hold out for praise every great and noble word and deed. By Tacitus Deed Hold Word Task History

The most detestable race of enemies are flatterers. By Tacitus Flatterers Detestable Race Enemies

In the struggle between those seeking power there is no middle course. By Tacitus Struggle Seeking Power Middle

Nature gives liberty even to dumb animals. By Tacitus Nature Animals Liberty Dumb

Who the first inhabitants of Britain were, whether natives or immigrants, remains obscure; one must remember we are dealing with barbarians. By Tacitus Britain Immigrants Remains Obscure Barbarians

So as you go into battle, remember your ancestors and remember your descendants. By Tacitus Remember Battle Descendants Ancestors

Even honor and virtue make enemies, condemning, as they do, their opposites by too close a contrast. By Tacitus Condemning Enemies Contrast Honor Virtue

All those things that are now field to be of the greatest antiquity were at one time new; what we to-day hold up by example will rank hereafter as precedent. By Tacitus Precedent Things Field Greatest Antiquity

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. By Tacitus Religion Grove Centre Obedient Regarded

The most seditious is the most cowardly. By Tacitus Cowardly Seditious

The lust for power, for dominating others, inflames the heart more than any other passion. By Tacitus Power Inflames Passion Lust Dominating

There can never be a complete confidence in a power which is excessive. By Tacitus Excessive Complete Confidence Power

What is today supported by precedents will hereafter become a precedent. By Tacitus Today Supported Precedents Precedent

Posterity will pay everyone their due. By Tacitus Posterity Due Pay

I am my nearest neighbour. By Tacitus Neighbour Nearest

It is a characteristic of the human mind to hate the man one has injured. By Tacitus Injured Characteristic Human Mind Hate

[The Jews have] an attitude of hostility and hatred towards all others. By Tacitus Jews Attitude Hostility Hatred

[That form of] eloquence, the foster-child of licence, which fools call liberty.[Lat., Eloquentia, alumna licentiae, quam stulti libertatem vocabant.] By Tacitus Lat Eloquentia Eloquence Licence Liberty

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. By Tacitus Obscurity Hearsays Falsehood Posterity Facts

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. By Tacitus Crimes Rites Council Battle Halter

It is human to hate those whom we have injured. By Tacitus Injured Human Hate

It is the nature of the human disposition to hate him whom you have injured. By Tacitus Injured Nature Human Disposition Hate

Seek to make a person blush for their guilt rather than shed their blood. By Tacitus Seek Blood Make Person Blush

Necessity reforms the poor, and satiety reforms the rich. By Tacitus Reforms Necessity Poor Rich Satiety

When a woman has lost her chastity she will shrink from nothing. By Tacitus Woman Lost Chastity Shrink

None grieve so ostentatiously as those who rejoice most in heart.[Lat., Nulla jactantius moerent quam qui maxime laetantur.] By Tacitus Lat Nulla Heart Laetantur Grieve

A bitter jest, when it comes too near the truth, leaves a sharp sting behind it. By Tacitus Jest Truth Leaves Bitter Sharp

In private enterprises men may advance or recede, whereas they who aim at empire have no alternative between the highest success and utter downfall. By Tacitus Recede Downfall Private Enterprises Men

It is the rare fortune of these days that one may think what one likes and say what one thinks. By Tacitus Rare Fortune Days

To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire; and where they make a wilderness, they call it peace. By Tacitus Plunder Slaughter Steal Empire Wilderness

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. By Tacitus Day Slain Fight Runs Turn

Bottling up his malice to be suppressed and brought out with increased violence. By Tacitus Bottling Violence Malice Suppressed Brought

It is always easier to requite an injury than a service: gratitude is a burden, but revenge is found to pay. By Tacitus Service Gratitude Burden Pay Easier

The worst hatred is that of relatives. By Tacitus Relatives Worst Hatred

All ancient history was written with a moral object; the ethical interest predominates almost to the exclusion of all others. By Tacitus Object Ancient History Written Moral

Fortes et strenuos etiam contra fortunam insistere, timidos et ignoros ad desperationem formidine properare - the brave and bold persist even against fortune; the timid and cowardly rush to despair through fear alone By Tacitus Fortes Insistere Timidos Properare Fortune

War will of itself discover and lay open the hidden and rankling wounds of the victorious party. By Tacitus War Party Discover Lay Open

The brave and bold persist even against fortune; the timid and cowardly rush to despair though fear alone. By Tacitus Fortune Brave Bold Persist Timid

They have plundered the world, stripping naked the land in their hunger ... they are driven by greed, if their enemy be rich; by ambition, if poor ... They ravage, they slaughter, they seize by false pretenses, and all of this they hail as the construction of empire. And when in their wake nothing remains but a desert, they call that peace. By Tacitus World Stripping Hunger Plundered Naked

Our magistrates discharge their duties best at the beginning; and fall off toward the end.[Lat., Initia magistratuum nostrorum meliora, ferme finis inclinat.] By Tacitus Lat Initia Beginning End Meliora

Neglected, calumny soon expires, show that you are hurt, and you give it the appearance of truth. By Tacitus Neglected Calumny Expires Show Hurt

Good turns are pleasing only in so far as they seem repayable; much beyond that we repay with hatred, not gratitude. By Tacitus Good Repayable Hatred Gratitude Turns

The principal office of history I take to be this: to prevent virtuous actions from being forgotten, and that evil words and deeds should fear an infamous reputation with posterity. By Tacitus Forgotten Posterity Principal Office History

Other men have acquired fame by industry, but this man by indolence. By Tacitus Industry Indolence Men Acquired Fame

Valor is the contempt of death and pain. By Tacitus Valor Pain Contempt Death

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. By Tacitus Civilization Slavery Careless Ignorance Reality

Falsehood avails itself of haste and uncertainty. By Tacitus Falsehood Uncertainty Avails Haste

Solitudinem faciunt pacem appellant. They make a wilderness and they call it peace. By Tacitus Solitudinem Appellant Faciunt Pacem Peace

A woman once fallen will shrink from no impropriety. By Tacitus Impropriety Woman Fallen Shrink

The love of fame is the last weakness which even the wise resign. By Tacitus Resign Love Fame Weakness Wise

The love of dominion is the most engrossing passion. By Tacitus Passion Love Dominion Engrossing

More faults are often committed while we are trying to oblige than while we are giving offense. By Tacitus Offense Faults Committed Oblige Giving

If you would know who controls you see who you may not criticise. By Tacitus Criticise Controls

Even the bravest men are frightened by sudden terrors. By Tacitus Terrors Bravest Men Frightened Sudden

By punishing men of talent we confirm their authority. By Tacitus Authority Punishing Men Talent Confirm

Every great example of punishment has in it some injustice, but the suffering individual is compensated by the public good. By Tacitus Injustice Good Great Punishment Suffering

He realized that monarchy was essential to peace, and that the price of freedom was violence and disorder. By Tacitus Peace Disorder Realized Monarchy Essential

Keen at the start, but careless at the end. By Tacitus Keen Start End Careless

Rumor does not always err; it sometimes even elects a man. By Tacitus Rumor Err Man Elects

They terrify lest they should fear. By Tacitus Fear Terrify

No one would have doubted his ability to reign had he never been emperor. By Tacitus Emperor Doubted Ability Reign

In a state where corruption abounds, laws must be very numerous. By Tacitus Abounds Laws Numerous State Corruption

It is a principle of nature to hate those whom you have injured. By Tacitus Injured Principle Nature Hate

The desire of glory is the last infirmity cast off even by the wise. By Tacitus Wise Desire Glory Infirmity Cast

Victor and vanquished never unite in substantial agreement. By Tacitus Victor Agreement Vanquished Unite Substantial

It is not becoming to grieve immoderately for the dead. By Tacitus Dead Grieve Immoderately

Even for learned men, love of fame is the last thing to be given up. By Tacitus Men Love Learned Fame Thing

Power won by crime no one ever yet turned to a good purpose. By Tacitus Power Purpose Won Crime Turned

By general consent, he would have been capable of ruling, had he not ruled. By Tacitus Consent Ruling Ruled General Capable

Christianity is a pestilent superstition. By Tacitus Christianity Superstition Pestilent

The more corrupt the republic, the more numerous the laws. By Tacitus Republic Laws Corrupt Numerous

The injustice of a government is proportional to the number of its laws. By Tacitus Laws Injustice Government Proportional Number

Greater things are believed of those who are absent. By Tacitus Greater Absent Things Believed

This I hold to be the chief office of history, to rescue virtuous actions from the oblivion to which a want of records would consign them, and that men should feel a dread of being considered infamous in the opinions of posterity, from their depraved expressions and base actions. By Tacitus Actions History Posterity Hold Chief

Remedies are slower in their operation than diseases. By Tacitus Remedies Diseases Slower Operation

Legions and fleets are not such sure bulwarks of imperial power as a numerous family By Tacitus Legions Family Fleets Bulwarks Imperial

To show resentment at a reproach is to acknowledge that one may have deserved it. By Tacitus Show Resentment Reproach Acknowledge Deserved

We see many who are struggling against adversity who are happy, and more although abounding in wealth, who are wretched. By Tacitus Happy Wealth Wretched Struggling Adversity

It is human nature to hate the one whom you have hurt. By Tacitus Hurt Human Nature Hate

Crime, once exposed, has no refuge but in audacity. By Tacitus Crime Exposed Audacity Refuge

Deos fortioribus adesse. The gods support those who are stronger. By Tacitus Deos Adesse Fortioribus Stronger Gods

No one in Germany laughs at vice, nor do they call it the fashion to corrupt and to be corrupted. By Tacitus Germany Vice Corrupted Laughs Call

In all things there is a kind of law of cycles.[Lat., Rebus cunctis inest quidam velut orbis.] By Tacitus Lat Rebus Cycles Orbis Things

When the state is most corrupt, then the laws are most multiplied. By Tacitus Corrupt Multiplied State Laws

They make solitude, which they call peace. By Tacitus Solitude Peace Make Call

The desire for glory clings even to the best men longer than any other passion. By Tacitus Passion Desire Glory Clings Men

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. By Tacitus Flame Burns Eloquence Requires Matter

To ravage, to slaughter, to steal, this they give the false name of empire; and where they create a desert, they call it peace. By Tacitus Ravage Slaughter Steal Empire Desert

Eloquence wins its great and enduring fame quite as much from the benches of our opponents as from those of our friends. By Tacitus Eloquence Friends Wins Great Enduring

It belongs to human nature to hate those you have injured. By Tacitus Injured Belongs Human Nature Hate

The Romans brought devestation, but they called it peace. By Tacitus Romans Devestation Peace Brought Called

Laws were most numerous when the commonwealth was most corrupt By Tacitus Laws Corrupt Numerous Commonwealth

Candor and generosity, unless tempered by due moderation, leads to ruin. By Tacitus Candor Generosity Moderation Leads Ruin

It is more reverent to believe in the works of the Deity than to comprehend them. By Tacitus Deity Reverent Works Comprehend

In valor there is hope. By Tacitus Hope Valor

One who is allowed to sin, sins less By Tacitus Allowed Sin Sins

Rumor is not always wrong By Tacitus Rumor Wrong

Posterity gives every man his true value. By Tacitus Posterity Man True

In peace alone reason was heard and merit distinguished; but in the rage of war the blind steel spared the innocent no more than the guilty. By Tacitus Distinguished Guilty Peace Reason Heard

Things are not to be judged good or bad merely because the public think so. By Tacitus Things Judged Good Bad Public

In all things there is a law of cycles. By Tacitus Cycles Things Law

Such being the happiness of the times, that you may think as you wish, and speak as you think. By Tacitus Times Happiness Speak

Kindness, so far as we can return it, is agreeable. By Tacitus Kindness Agreeable Return

Rarely will two or three tribes confer to repulse a common danger. Accordingly they fight individually and are collectively conquered. By Tacitus Rarely Danger Tribes Confer Repulse

Things forbidden have a secret charm. By Tacitus Things Charm Forbidden Secret

It is common, to esteem most what is most unknown. By Tacitus Common Unknown Esteem

Lust of power is the most flagrant of all the passions By Tacitus Lust Passions Power Flagrant

The more corrupt the state, the more it legislates. By Tacitus State Legislates Corrupt

The hatred of those who are near to us is most violent. By Tacitus Violent Hatred

Adversity deprives us of our judgment. By Tacitus Adversity Judgment Deprives

Reckless adventure is the fool's hazard. By Tacitus Reckless Hazard Adventure Fool

None make a greater show of sorrow than those who are most delighted. By Tacitus Delighted Make Greater Show Sorrow

The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws. By Tacitus State Laws Corrupt Numerous

Love of fame is the last thing even learned men can bear to be parted from. By Tacitus Love Fame Thing Learned Men

Prosperity is the measure or touchstone of virtue, for it is less difficult to bear misfortune than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure. By Tacitus Prosperity Virtue Pleasure Measure Touchstone

It is a part of the nature of man to resist compulsion. By Tacitus Compulsion Part Nature Man Resist

It is human nature to hate the man whom you have hurt. By Tacitus Hurt Human Nature Hate Man

Step by step they were led to things which dispose to vice, the lounge, the bath, the elegant banquet. All this in their ignorance they called civilisation, when it was but a part of their servitude. By Tacitus Step Vice Lounge Bath Banquet

The gods are on the side of the stronger. By Tacitus Stronger Gods Side

Cruelty is fed, not weakened, by tears. By Tacitus Cruelty Fed Weakened Tears

If we must fall, we should boldly meet our fate. By Tacitus Fall Fate Boldly Meet

For it is the rare fortune of these days that a man may think what he likes and say what he thinks. By Tacitus Rare Fortune Days Man

When men of talents are punished, authority is strengthened.[Lat., Punitis ingeniis, gliscit auctoritas.] By Tacitus Lat Punitis Punished Authority Strengthened

An honorable death is better than a dishonorable life.[Lat., Honesta mors turpi vita potior.] By Tacitus Lat Honesta Life Potior Honorable

Traitors are hated even by those whom they prefer. By Tacitus Traitors Prefer Hated

The changeful change of circumstances.[Lat., Varia sors rerum.] By Tacitus Lat Varia Circumstances Rerum Changeful

When perfect sincerity is expected, perfect freedom must be allowed. By Tacitus Expected Allowed Perfect Sincerity Freedom

Formerly we suffered from crimes; now we suffer from laws. By Tacitus Crimes Laws Suffered Suffer

Once killing starts, it is difficult to draw the line. By Tacitus Starts Line Killing Difficult Draw

Men are more ready to repay an injury than a benefit, because gratitude is a burden and revenge a pleasure By Tacitus Men Benefit Pleasure Ready Repay

The repose of nations cannot be secure without arms, armies cannot be maintained without pay, nor can the pay be produced without taxes By Tacitus Pay Arms Armies Taxes Repose

Modest fame is not to be despised by the highest characters.[Lat., Modestiae fama neque summis mortalibus spernenda est.] By Tacitus Lat Modestiae Modest Characters Est

Viewed from a distance, everything is beautiful. By Tacitus Viewed Distance Beautiful

The unknown always passes for the marvellous. By Tacitus Marvellous Unknown Passes

Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay; falsehood by haste and uncertainty. By Tacitus Truth Delay Falsehood Uncertainty Confirmed

Abuse if you slight it, will gradually die away; but if you show yourself irritated, you will be thought to have deserved it. By Tacitus Abuse Irritated Slight Gradually Die

Liberty is given by nature even to mute animals. By Tacitus Liberty Animals Nature Mute