Inspirational Quotes by Tacitus (Roman Orator, Historian)

Inspirational Quotations by Tacitus (Roman Orator, Historian)

Tacitus (c.55–120 CE,) fully Publius or Gaius Cornelius Tacitus, was a Roman orator and public official. He was perhaps the most celebrated of Roman historians and one of the most excellent prose stylists who wrote in the Latin language.

Facts about Tacitus’s life are scarce. Probably born in Narbonese Gaul, he studied rhetoric in Rome, rose to distinction as a pleader at the Roman Bar. In a life that spanned the reigns of the Flavian emperors and Trajan and Hadrian, Tacitus played a part in the public life of Rome. In 77 CE, Tacitus married the daughter of Agricola, the conqueror of Britain. Tacitus’s biography of his father-in-law survives.

Among Tacitus’s works is the Germania, which describes the Germanic tribes. It is a source for much of what we know of Germanic and continental Celtic mythologies.

Tacitus’s notable works include the twelve-volume Historiae (‘Histories,’) covering 69–96 CE, and the later Annales (‘Annals,’) covering 14–68 CE. Even though the Annals and Histories exist only in incomplete form, they suggest a profound pessimism about the course of Roman history ever since the end of the Roman Republic.

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If we must fall, we should boldly meet the danger.
—Tacitus
Topics: Danger, Bravery, Courage

When the state is most corrupt, then the laws are most multiplied.
—Tacitus
Topics: Law

Candor and generosity, unless tempered by due moderation, leads to ruin.
—Tacitus
Topics: Moderation

Posterity gives every man his true value.
—Tacitus
Topics: Posterity, History

Old things are always in good repute, present things in disfavor.
—Tacitus
Topics: Aging, Age

One who is allowed to sin, sins less
—Tacitus
Topics: Sin

No one would have doubted his ability to reign had he never been emperor.
—Tacitus
Topics: Leaders, Leadership

Neglected calumny soon expires; show that you are hurt, and you give it the appearance of truth.
—Tacitus

A shocking crime was committed on the unscrupulous initiative of few individuals, with the blessing of more, and amid the passive acquiescence of all.
—Tacitus

This I hold to be the chief office of history, to rescue virtuous actions from the oblivion to which a want of records would consign them, and that men should feel a dread of being considered infamous in the opinions of posterity, from their depraved expressions and base actions.
—Tacitus
Topics: History

As for myself, may the sweet Muses, as Virgil says, bear me away to their holy places where sacred streams do flow, beyond the reach of anxiety and care, and free from the obligation of performing each day some task that goes against the grain. May I no longer have anything to do with the mad racket and the hazards of the forum, or tremble as I try a fall with white-faced Fame. I do not want to be roused from sleep by the clatter of morning callers or by some breathless messenger from the palace; I do not care, in drawing my will, to give a money-pledge for its safe execution through anxiety as to what is to happen afterwards; I wish for no larger estate than I can leave to the heir of my own free choice. Some day or other the last hour will strike also for me, and my prayer is that my effigy may be set up beside my grave, not grim and scowling, but all smiles and garlands, and that no one shall seek to honour my memory either by a motion in the senate or by a petition to the Emperor.
—Tacitus

The lust of fame is the last that a wise man shakes off.
—Tacitus
Topics: Fame

Things forbidden have a secret charm.
—Tacitus
Topics: Charm, Temptation

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.
—Tacitus
Topics: Prudence

Prosperity is the measure or touchstone of virtue, for it is less difficult to bear misfortune than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure.
—Tacitus
Topics: Prosperity, Misfortunes, Fortune

The lust for power, for dominating others, inflames the heart more than any other passion.
—Tacitus

The brave and bold persist even against fortune; the timid and cowardly rush to despair though fear alone.
—Tacitus
Topics: Bravery, Courage

To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire; and where they make a wilderness, they call it peace.
—Tacitus
Topics: Wilderness

Pliability and liberality, when not restrained within due bounds, must ever turn to the ruin of their possessor.
—Tacitus
Topics: Excess

It is human nature to hate him whom you have injured.
—Tacitus
Topics: Hatred

In a state where corruption abounds, laws must be very numerous.
—Tacitus
Topics: Lawyers, Law

They make a wilderness and call it peace.
—Tacitus
Topics: Peace

Seek to make a person blush for their guilt rather than shed their blood.
—Tacitus
Topics: Guilt

All things now held to be old were once new.—What today we hold up by example, will rank hereafter as precedent.
—Tacitus

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.
—Tacitus
Topics: Eloquence

Fear is not in the habit of speaking truth; when perfect sincerity is expected, perfect freedom must be allowed; nor has any one who is apt to be angry when he hears the truth, any cause to wonder that he does not hear it.
—Tacitus
Topics: Opportunity, Truth

Not because of any extraordinary talents did he succeed, but because he had a capacity on a level for business and not above it.
—Tacitus
Topics: Ability, Business

The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.
—Tacitus
Topics: Security

A desire to resist oppression is implanted in the nature of man.
—Tacitus
Topics: One liners, Oppression

Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay; falsehood by haste and uncertainty.
—Tacitus
Topics: Deception/Lying