Tacitus

Once killing starts, it is difficult to draw the line.

— Tacitus

Kindness, so far as we can return it, is agreeable.

— Tacitus

Things are not to be judged good or bad merely because the public think so.

— Tacitus

The most detestable race of enemies are flatterers.

— Tacitus

Viewed from a distance, everything is beautiful.

— Tacitus

The love of fame is a love that even the wisest of men are reluctant to forgo.

— 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

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

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

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

— Tacitus

Then there is the usual scene when lovers are excited with each other, quarrels, entreaties, reproaches, and then fondling reconcilement.

— Tacitus

Neglected, calumny soon expires, show that you are hurt, and you give it the appearance of truth.

— Tacitus

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

— 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

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

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

“At length they gradually deviated into a taste for those luxuries which stimulate to vice; porticos, and baths, and the elegancies of…

— Tacitus

Following Emporer Nero's command, "Let the Christians be exterminated!:" . . . they [the Christians] were made the subjects of sport; they…

— Tacitus

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

— 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

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

— Tacitus

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

— Tacitus

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

— Tacitus

Laws were most numerous when the commonwealth was most corrupt

— Tacitus

It is not becoming to grieve immoderately for the dead.

— Tacitus

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

— Tacitus

Those in supreme power always suspect and hate their next heir.

— Tacitus

Zealous in the commencement, careless in the end.

— Tacitus

Power won by crime no one ever yet turned to a good purpose.

— Tacitus

[The Jews have] an attitude of hostility and hatred towards all others.

— Tacitus

It is a characteristic of the human mind to hate the man one has injured.

— Tacitus