Tacitus Quotes - Page 4

It is found by experience that admirable laws and right precedents among the good have their origin in the misdeeds of others.

In stirring up tumult and strife, the worst men can do the most, but peace and quiet cannot be established without virtue.

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.

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

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

They terrify lest they should fear.

Power acquired by guilt was never used for a good purpose. [Lat., Imperium flagitio acquisitum nemo unquam bonis artibus exercuit.]

No one would have doubted his ability to reign had he never been emperor.

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

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

The unknown always passes for the marvellous.

An eminent reputation is as dangerous as a bad one.

The most detestable race of enemies are flatterers.

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

Auctor nominis eius Christus,Tiberio imperitante, per procuratorem Pontium Pilatum, supplicio affectus erat. Christ, the leader of the sect, had been put to death by the procurator Pontius Pilate in the reign of Tiberius.

A woman once fallen will shrink from no impropriety.

Whatever is unknown is magnified.

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.

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

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

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

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

It is less difficult to bear misfortunes than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure.

If we must fall, we should boldly meet our fate.

Valor is the contempt of death and pain.