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
harm proof valour
Indeed, the crowning proof of their valour and their strength is that they keep up their superiority without harm to others.
lines killing difficult
Once killing starts, it is difficult to draw the line.
doubt facts obscurity
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.
habit expediency customs
Custom adapts itself to expediency.
family hatred society
The hatred of relatives is the most violent.
rome cities shameless
All things atrocious and shameless flock from all parts to Rome.
peace war empires
To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire; and where they make a wilderness, they call it peace.
fear perfect causes
Fear is not in the habit of speaking truth; when perfect sincerity is expected, perfect freedom must be allowed; nor has anyone who is apt to be angry when he hears the truth any cause to wonder that he does not hear it.
courage determination work
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.
passion men desire
The desire for glory clings even to the best men longer than any other passion.
running fighting battle
He that fights and runs away, May turn and fight another day; But he that is in battle slain, Will never rise to fight again.
hate hatred violent
The hatred of those who are near to us is most violent.
abuse criticism irritated
Abuse if you slight it, will gradually die away; but if you show yourself irritated, you will be thought to have deserved it.
leader quality ratios
Forethought and prudence are the proper qualities of a leader. [Lat., Ratio et consilium, propriae ducis artes.]