Tacitus

All bodies are slow in growth but rapid in decay.

— Tacitus

The lust for power, for dominating others, inflames the heart more than any other passion.

— Tacitus

A bitter jest, when it comes too near the truth, leaves a sharp sting behind it.

— Tacitus

When men are full of envy they disparage everything, whether it be good or bad.

— Tacitus

A desire to resist oppression is implanted in the nature of man.

— Tacitus

An eminent reputation is as dangerous as a bad one.

— Tacitus

Bottling up his malice to be suppressed and brought out with increased violence.

— Tacitus

A woman once fallen will shrink from no impropriety.

— Tacitus

A shocking crime was committed on the unscrupulous initiative of few individuals, with the blessing of more, and amid the passive acquiescence…

— Tacitus

The lust of dominion burns with a flame so fierce as to overpower all other affections of the human breast.

— Tacitus

Secure against the designs of men, secure against the malignity of the Gods, they have accomplished a thing of infinite difficulty; that…

— Tacitus

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

— Tacitus

In seasons of tumult and discord bad men have most power; mental and moral excellence require peace and quietness.

— Tacitus

All those things that are now field to be of the greatest antiquity were at one time new; what we to-day hold…

— Tacitus

Every great example of punishment has in it some injustice, but the suffering individual is compensated by the public good.

— Tacitus

You might believe a good man easily, a great man with pleasure. -Bonum virum facile crederes, magnum libenter

— Tacitus

It is human nature to hate the man whom you have hurt.

— Tacitus

What is today supported by precedents will hereafter become a precedent.

— Tacitus

Victor and vanquished never unite in substantial agreement.

— Tacitus

A man in power, once becoming obnoxious, his acts, good or bad, will work out his ruin.

— Tacitus

When the State is corrupt, then the laws are most multiplied.

— Tacitus

No hatred is so bitter as that of near relations.

— Tacitus

In a state where corruption abounds, laws must be very numerous.

— Tacitus

When a woman has lost her chastity she will shrink from nothing.

— Tacitus

“This is an unfair thing about war: victory is claimed by all, failure to one alone.”

— Tacitus

It is common, to esteem most what is most unknown.

— Tacitus

When the state is most corrupt, then the laws are most multiplied.

— Tacitus

Solitudinem faciunt pacem appellant. They make a wilderness and they call it peace.

— Tacitus

By general consent, he would have been capable of ruling, had he not ruled.

— Tacitus

It is a part of the nature of man to resist compulsion.

— Tacitus

Falsehood avails itself of haste and uncertainty.

— Tacitus

The changeful change of circumstances. [Lat., Varia sors rerum.]

— Tacitus

Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay; falsehood by haste and uncertainty.

— Tacitus

Reason and calm judgment, the qualities specially belonging to a leader.

— Tacitus

There can never be a complete confidence in a power which is excessive.

— Tacitus

The persecution of genius fosters its influence.

— Tacitus

The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.

— Tacitus

We see many who are struggling against adversity who are happy, and more although abounding in wealth, who are wretched.

— Tacitus

He that fights and runs away, May turn and fight another day; But he that is in battle slain, Will never rise…

— Tacitus

If we must fall, we should boldly meet the danger. [Lat., Si cadere necesse est, occurendum discrimini.]

— Tacitus