Sallust
Sallust
Gaius Sallustius Crispus, usually anglicised as Sallust, was a Roman historian, politician, and novus homo from a provincial plebeian family. Sallust was born at Amiternum in the country of the Sabines and was a popularis, an opponent of the old Roman aristocracy, throughout his career, and later a partisan of Julius Caesar. Sallust is the earliest known Roman historian with surviving works to his name, of which Catiline's War, The Jugurthine War, and the Historiesare still extant. Sallust was primarily...
NationalityRoman
ProfessionHistorian
men evil good-man
A good man prefers to suffer rather than overcome injustice with evil.
decided
Get good counsel before you begin; and when you have decided, act promptly.
war men honorable-man
But at power or wealth, for the sake of which wars, and all kinds of strife, arise among mankind, we do not aim; we desire only our liberty, which no honorable man relinquishes but with his life.
hatred matter void
All who consult on doubtful matters, should be void of hatred, friendship, anger, and pity.
past intellectual events
Among intellectual pursuits, one of the most useful is the recording of past events.
soul captains moral
The soul is the captain and ruler of the life of morals.
change fall blessing
As the blessings of health and fortune have a beginning, so they must also find an end. Everything rises but to fall, and increases but to decay.
ambition men tongue
Ambition drove many men to become false; to have one thought locked in the breast, another ready on the tongue.
liars ambition cutting
It is the nature of ambition to make men liars and cheats, to hide the truth in their breasts, and show, like jugglers, another thing in their mouths, to cut all friendships and enmities to the measure of their own interest, and to make a good countenance without the help of good will.
wise soul trying
Prosperity tries the souls even of the wise.
mean men evil
A good man would prefer to be defeated than to defeat injustice by evil means.
empires harmony states
For harmony makes small states great, while discord undermines the mightiest empires.
law brave victory
It is a law of human nature that in victory even the coward may boast of his prowess, while defeat injures the reputation even of the brave.
excellence fleeting riches
The renown which riches or beauty confer is fleeting and frail mental excellence is a splendid and lasting possession.