Tacitus

Even for learned men, love of fame is the last thing to be given up.

— Tacitus

Deos fortioribus adesse. The gods support those who are stronger.

— Tacitus

Posterity gives to every man his true honor. [Lat., Suum cuique decus posteritas rependet.]

— Tacitus

Remedies are more tardy in their operation than diseases.

— Tacitus

Flattery labors under the odious charge of servility.

— Tacitus

“For he would twist a word or a look into a crime and treasure it up in his memory.”

— Tacitus

Other men have acquired fame by industry, but this man by indolence.

— Tacitus

Crime succeeds by sudden despatch; honest counsels gain vigor by delay.

— Tacitus

Our magistrates discharge their duties best at the beginning; and fall off toward the end. [Lat., Initia magistratuum nostrorum meliora, ferme finis…

— Tacitus

Valor is of no service, chance rules all, and the bravest often fall by the hands of cowards.

— Tacitus

No one in Germany laughs at vice, nor do they call it the fashion to corrupt and to be corrupted.

— Tacitus

Such being the happiness of the times, that you may think as you wish, and speak as you think.

— Tacitus

All ancient history was written with a moral object; the ethical interest predominates almost to the exclusion of all others.

— Tacitus

Benefits received are a delight to us as long as we think we can requite them; when that possibility is far exceeded,…

— Tacitus

Abuse if you slight it, will gradually die away; but if you show yourself irritated, you will be thought to have deserved…

— Tacitus

It is of eloquence as of a flame; it requires matter to feed it, and motion to excite it; and it brightens…

— Tacitus

Cassius and Brutus were the more distinguished for that very circumstance that their portraits were absent. [Lat., Praefulgebant Cassius atque Brutus eo…

— Tacitus

Augustus gradually increased his powers, taking over those of the senate, the executives and the laws. The aristocracy received wealth and position…

— Tacitus

The Germans themselves I should regard as aboriginal, and not mixed at all with other races through immigration or intercourse. For in…

— Tacitus

Fear is not in the habit of speaking truth; when perfect sincerity is expected, perfect freedom must be allowed; nor has anyone…

— Tacitus

In careless ignorance they think it civilization, when in reality it is a portion of their slavery...To ravage, to slaughter, to usurp…

— Tacitus

They have plundered the world, stripping naked the land in their hunger… they are driven by greed, if their enemy be rich;…

— Tacitus

Style, like the human body, is specially beautiful when, so to say, the veins are not prominent, and the bones cannot be…

— Tacitus

There was more courage in bearing trouble than in escaping from it; the brave and the energetic cling to hope, even in…

— Tacitus

The lust of fame is the last that a wise man shakes off.

— Tacitus

“It is a principle of nature to hate those whom you have injured.”

— Tacitus

Greater things are believed of those who are absent.

— Tacitus

Remedies are slower in their operation than diseases.

— Tacitus

Experience teaches. [Lat., Experientia docet.]

— Tacitus

The love of fame is the last weakness which even the wise resign.

— Tacitus

Legions and fleets are not such sure bulwarks of imperial power as a numerous family

— Tacitus

We accomplish more by prudence than by force. [Lat., Plura consilio quam vi perficimus.]

— Tacitus

Seek to make a person blush for their guilt rather than shed their blood.

— Tacitus

None mourn more ostentatiously than those who most rejoice at it [a death].

— Tacitus

It belongs to human nature to hate those you have injured.

— Tacitus

None make a greater show of sorrow than those who are most delighted.

— Tacitus

Reason and judgment are the qualities of a leader..

— Tacitus

If you would know who controls you see who you may not criticise.

— Tacitus

To show resentment at a reproach is to acknowledge that one may have deserved it.

— Tacitus

By punishing men of talent we confirm their authority.

— Tacitus