Tacitus Quotes - Page 5

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

Keen at the start, but careless at the end.

Custom adapts itself to expediency.

Everything unknown is magnified. [Lat., Omne ignotum pro magnifico est.]

Remedies are more tardy in their operation than diseases.

The worst hatred is that of relatives.

There are odious virtues; such as inflexible severity, and an integrity that accepts of no favor.

Flattery labors under the odious charge of servility.

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

Adversity deprives us of our judgment.

There was more courage in bearing trouble than in escaping from it; the brave and the energetic cling to hope, even in spite of fortune; the cowardly and the indolent are hurried by their fears,' said Plotius Firmus, Roman Praetorian Guard.

He (Tiberius) was wont to mock at the arts of physicians, and at those who, after thirty years of age, needed counsel as to what was good or bad for their bodies.

The principal office of history I take to be this: to prevent virtuous actions from being forgotten, and that evil words and deeds should fear an infamous reputation with posterity.

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

The gods are on the side of the stronger.

Conspicuous by his absence.

No hatred is so bitter as that of near relations.

The task of history is to hold out for reprobation every evil word and deed, and to hold out for praise every great and noble word and deed.

That cannot be safe which is not honourable.

Reason and judgment are the qualities of a leader.

We extol ancient things, regardless of our own times. [Lat., Vetera extollimus recentium incuriosi.]

So true is it that all transactions of preeminent importance are wrapt in doubt and obscurity; while some hold for certain facts the most precarious hearsays, others turn facts into falsehood; and both are exaggerated by posterity.

Indeed, the crowning proof of their valour and their strength is that they keep up their superiority without harm to others.

More faults are often committed while we are trying to oblige than while we are giving offense.

Nature gives liberty even to dumb animals.