Tacitus
Tacitus
PubliusCornelius Tacituswas a senator and a historian of the Roman Empire. The surviving portions of his two major works—the Annals and the Histories—examine the reigns of the Roman emperors Tiberius, Claudius, Nero, and those who reigned in the Year of the Four Emperors. These two works span the history of the Roman Empire from the death of Augustus in AD 14 to the years of the First Jewish–Roman War in AD 70. There are substantial lacunae in the surviving texts,...
NationalityRoman
ProfessionHistorian
aspired equal higher talents
He had talents equal to business, and aspired no higher
actions deeds evil fear history infamous office prevent principle reputation virtuous words
The principle 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.
behind bitter jest leaves near satire sharp sting truth
Bitter the jest when satire comes too near truth and leaves a sharp sting behind it
necessity reforms rich satiety
Necessity reforms the poor, and satiety the rich
fame last love wise
Love of fame is the last thing even the wise give up
men vice
There will be vice as long as there are men
call peace
They (the Romans) make a desert, and they call it peace
call peace wilderness
They make a wilderness and call it peace.
corrupt law-and-lawyers
The more corrupt the state, the more laws.
belonging calm qualities reason
Reason and calm judgment: the qualities especially belonging to a leader.
candor due lead ruin tempered unless
Candor and generosity, unless tempered by due moderation, lead to ruin
bad discord excellence men mental moral peace require
In times of tumult and discord bad men have the most power; mental and moral excellence require peace and quiteness.
bad discord excellence men mental moral peace require seasons
In seasons of tumult and discord bad men have the most power; mental and moral excellence require peace and quietness.
peace
They made a wasteland and called it peace