32 Quotes & Sayings By Tacitus

Cornelius Tacitus was a Roman historian of the 1st century AD. He was a senator and a military commander, and is known for his histories of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. There are extant around twenty-seven historical writings by Tacitus. The existence of these was long disputed, as it was known that he wrote about twenty works in total, but after the discovery of the Vindolanda tablets in Britain in 1972, which contained inscriptions relating to his career, most historians now accept that he wrote at least one work every year from c Read more

AD 100 to c. AD 115.

So obscure are the greatest events, as some take for...
1
So obscure are the greatest events, as some take for granted any hearsay, whatever its source, others turn truth into falsehood, and both errors find encouragement with posterity. Tacitus
A bad peace is worse than war.
2
A bad peace is worse than war. Tacitus
Crime, once exposed, has no refuge but in audacity.
3
Crime, once exposed, has no refuge but in audacity. Tacitus
5
Great empires are not maintained by timidity. Tacitus
6
Viewed from a distance, everything is beautiful. Tacitus
7
The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws. Tacitus
8
To show resentment at a reproach is to acknowledge that one may have deserved it. Tacitus
9
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise. Tacitus
10
If you would know who controls you see who you may not criticise. Tacitus
11
Greater things are believed of those who are absent. Tacitus
12
Style like the human body is specially beautiful when the veins are not prominent and the bones cannot be counted. Tacitus
13
The more corrupt the state the more laws. Tacitus
14
Reason and judgment are the qualities of a leader. Tacitus
15
Where they make a desert they call it peace. Tacitus
16
Lust of power is the most flagrant of all the passions. Tacitus
17
The worst hatred is that of relatives. Tacitus
18
Candour and generosity unless tempered by due moderation lead to ruin. Tacitus
19
Things forbidden have a secret charm. Tacitus
20
A bad peace is even worse than war. Tacitus
21
A desire to resist oppression is implanted in the nature of man. Tacitus
22
It is human nature to hate the man whom you have hurt. Tacitus
23
It belongs to human nature to hate those you have injured. Tacitus
24
Old things are always in good repute, present things in disfavor. Tacitus
25
Be assured those will be thy worst enemies, not to whom thou hast done evil, but who have done evil to thee. And those will be thy best friends, not to whom thou hast done good, but who have done good to thee. Tacitus
26
Those in supreme power always suspect and hate their next heir. Tacitus
27
Valor is of no service, chance rules all, and the bravest often fall by the hands of cowards. Tacitus
28
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. Tacitus
29
Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay falsehood by haste and uncertainty. Tacitus
30
To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire; and where they make a wilderness, they call it peace. Tacitus
31
When men are full of envy they disparage everything, whether it be good or bad. Tacitus