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
vigor may firsts
All enterprises that are entered into with indiscreet zeal may be pursued with great vigor at first, but are sure to collapse in the end.
time pay dues
Posterity will pay everyone their due.
time old-things
Old things are always in good repute, present things in disfavor.
punishment suffering example
Every great example of punishment has in it some injustice, but the suffering individual is compensated by the public good.
lines killing difficult
Once killing starts, it is difficult to draw the line.
disease operations remedy
Remedies are slower in their operation than diseases.
circumstances
The changeful change of circumstances. [Lat., Varia sors rerum.]
traitor hated
Traitors are hated even by those whom they prefer.
neighbour
I am my nearest neighbour.
fallen shrinks
A woman once fallen will shrink from no impropriety.
flattery labor servility
Flattery labors under the odious charge of servility.
army pay arms
The repose of nations cannot be secure without arms, armies cannot be maintained without pay, nor can the pay be produced without taxes
bear last learned love men
Love of fame is the last thing even learned men can bear to be parted from.
easier found injury
It is always easier to requite an injury than a service: gratitude is a burden, but revenge is found to pay.