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
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.
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.
corrupt numerous
The more corrupt the republic, the more numerous the laws.
burns eloquence excite feed matter motion requires
It is of eloquence as of a flame; it requires matter to feed it, and motion to excite it; and it brightens as it burns
boldly courage danger meet
If we must fall, we should boldly meet the danger.
candor due lead ruin tempered unless
Candor and generosity, unless tempered by due moderation, lead to ruin
aspired equal higher talents
He had talents equal to business, and aspired no higher
hate human injured nature whom
It is human nature to hate those whom you have injured
proper prudence qualities
Forethought and prudence are the proper qualities of a leader.
hate human nature weakness whom
It is a weakness of your human nature to hate those whom you have wronged.
belonging calm qualities reason
Reason and calm judgment: the qualities especially belonging to a leader.
necessity reforms rich satiety
Necessity reforms the poor, and satiety the rich
cast desire fame last wise
The desire for fame is the last infirmity cast off even by the wise
corrupt law-and-lawyers
The more corrupt the state, the more laws.