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
belonging calm qualities reason
Reason and calm judgment: the qualities especially belonging to a leader.
aspired equal higher talents
He had talents equal to business, and aspired no higher
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.
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.