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
tongue hours danger
Every recreant who proved his timidity in the hour of danger, was afterwards boldest in words and tongue.
revolution cowardly
The most seditious is the most cowardly.
solitude
They make solitude, which they call peace.
today precedent hereafter
What is today supported by precedents will hereafter become a precedent.
gratitude thinking long
Benefits received are a delight to us as long as we think we can requite them; when that possibility is far exceeded, they are repaid with hatred instead of gratitude.
ultras dare cowardly
A cowardly populace which will dare nothing beyond talk. [Lat., Vulgus ignavum et nihil ultra verba ausurum.]
views multitudes
The views of the multitude are neither bad nor good. [Lat., Neque mala, vel bona, quae vulgus putet.]
kindness return
Kindness, so far as we can return it, is agreeable.
force accomplish prudence
We accomplish more by prudence than by force. [Lat., Plura consilio quam vi perficimus.]
confidence
There can never be a complete confidence in a power which is excessive.
ends careless
Keen at the start, but careless at the end.
race enemy flatterer
The most detestable race of enemies are flatterers.
passion dominion
The love of dominion is the most engrossing passion.
adversity judgment
Adversity deprives us of our judgment.