Tacitus quotes
Tacitus (55–120): Roman historian and senator. The library holds 82 quotes by Tacitus, drawn from Historiae, Agricola, Annales. The 60 below are the most quoted; search the library in the maker for the rest.
Often about: life, power, nature, time, leadership, success
The best-known Tacitus quotes
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Not because of any extraordinary talents did he succeed, but because he had a capacity on a level for business and not above it.
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Prosperity is the touchstone of virtue; for it is less difficult to bear misfortunes than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure.
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Things are not to be judged either good or bad merely because the public think so.
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In the hour of prosperity even the best generals are apt to be haughty and insolent.
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They attended to their regulations, but still as if they would rather debate about the commands of their superiors than obey them.
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The desire of rule is the most ardent of all the affections of the mind.
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It is a weakness of your human nature to hate those whom you have wronged.
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Such was the public temper, that some few dared to perpetrate the vilest crimes, more were fain to do so, and all looked passively on.
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Satire, when it comes near the truth, leaves a sharp sting behind it.
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It is less difficult to bear misfortunes than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure.
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The mob have neither judgment nor principle,—ready to bawl at night for the reverse of what they desired in the morning.
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The quiet of nations cannot be maintained without arms, nor can arms be maintained without pay, nor pay without taxation.
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Every recreant, who, as experience has proved, will fly in the hour of danger, is the most boastful in his words and language afterwards.
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Every great example of punishment has in it some tincture of injustice, but the wrong to individuals is compensated by the promotion of the public good.
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In a state in which corruption abounds laws are very numerous.
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As formerly we suffered from wickedness, so now we suffer from the laws.
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The commencement of our official duties is characterised by greater vigour and alacrity, but towards the end they flag.
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Those in supreme power always suspect and hate their next heir.
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Neglected calumny soon expires; show that you are hurt, and you give it the appearance of truth.
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The hatred of persons related to each other is the most violent.
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Thought and deliberation are the qualities proper to a general.
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People are naturally ready enough to follow in matters in which they are disinclined to take the lead.
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In the mind, as in a field, though some things may be sown and carefully brought up, yet what springs naturally is the most pleasing.
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Everything which is now regarded as very ancient was once new, and what we are defending to-day by precedent, will by and by be a precedent itself.
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It is long before men in power forget the jest they have been the subject of.
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It is more easy to praise a republican form of government than to establish it; and when it is established, it cannot be of long duration.
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None mourn so demonstratively as those who are in reality rejoicing most.
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We may see many struggling against adversity who yet are happy; and more, although abounding in wealth, who are most wretched.
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The hatred of those most closely connected with us is the bitterest.
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While other men have attained to fame by their industry, this man has by his indolence.
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Even by the wise the desire of glory is the last of all passions to be laid aside.
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Prosperity tries the human heart with the deepest probe, and brings forth the hidden character.
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Abuse, if you slight it, will gradually die away; but if you show yourself irritated, you will be thought to have deserved it.
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Some might consider him as too fond of fame; for the desire of glory clings even to the best men longer than any other passion.
Historiae. iv. 6 -
He shone with the greater splendour because he was not seen.
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He possessed a peculiar talent of producing effect in whatever he said or did.
Historiae. ii. 80 -
All enterprises which are entered on with indiscreet zeal may be pursued with great vigour at first, but are sure to collapse in the end.
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We find greater violence and more perseverance among the wretched.
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In seasons of tumult and discord, the worst men have the greatest power.
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Such was the happiness of the times, that you might think as you chose and speak as you thought.
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All things atrocious and shameless flock from all parts to Rome.
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Accomplices in evil actions are always regarded as reproaching the deed.
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Truth is established by inspection and delay; falsehood thrives by haste and uncertainty.
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Eloquence is like flame: it requires matter to feed on, motion to excite it, and it brightens as it burns.
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It is the nature of the human disposition to hate him whom you have injured.
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We extol what is old, regardless of what is of modern date.
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It belongs to human nature to hate those you have injured.
Agricola. 42 -
An honourable death is better than an ignominious life.
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The lust of fame is the last that a wise man shakes off.
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Flattery labours under the odious charge of servility.
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He had talents equal to business, and aspired no higher.
Annales. vi. 39, 17 -
Nothing is written here to excite wonder, or for effect.
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Full of ardour at the beginning, careless at the end.
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An eminent reputation is as dangerous as a bad one.
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Everybody and everything unknown are often magnified.
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Remedies are slower in their operation than diseases.
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It is human nature to hate him whom you have injured.
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The love of power is an instinct of the human heart.
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An unhappy peace may be profitably exchanged for war.
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While they fight separately, the whole are conquered.
Where these quotes come from
- Historiae (3 quotes)
- Agricola (2 quotes)
- Annales (1 quote)
Every quote comes from a public-domain edition. How the library was made .