Children Quote by Tacitus
“[That form of] eloquence, the foster-child of licence, which fools call liberty. [Lat., Eloquentia, alumna licentiae, quam stulti libertatem vocabant.]”
About This Quote
Source Work: Annals, Book 12, 112 AD
Eloquence can be a disguise for license, allowing people to claim liberty while actually acting foolishly.
In simple terms: Fancy speech can hide reckless freedom.
Beware of empty rhetoric.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political speeches
- legal arguments
- media commentary
- public debates
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we distinguish true liberty from pretended eloquence?
- When does eloquence become manipulation?
The quote may conflate eloquence with deceit, ignoring sincere expression.