Even honor and virtue make enemies, condemning, as they do, their opposites by too close a contrast.
—Tacitus
Topics: Honor
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
Forethought and prudence are the
proper qualities of a leader.
—Tacitus
Topics: Character
Things forbidden have a secret charm.
—Tacitus
Topics: Temptation, Charm
Necessity reforms the poor, and satiety the rich.
—Tacitus
Topics: Reform
The more corrupt the republic, the more numerous the laws.
—Tacitus
Topics: Justice
No one would have doubted his ability to reign had he never been emperor.
—Tacitus
Topics: Leaders, Leadership
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: Truth, Opportunity
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
It is human nature to hate him whom you have injured.
—Tacitus
Topics: Hatred
Candor and generosity, unless tempered by due moderation, leads to ruin.
—Tacitus
Topics: Moderation
When a woman has lost her chastity she will shrink from nothing.
—Tacitus
Topics: Modesty, Humility
There will be vice as long as there are men.
—Tacitus
Topics: Vice
If we must fall, we should boldly meet the danger.
—Tacitus
Topics: Bravery, Danger, Courage
Reason and judgment are the qualities of a leader.
—Tacitus
Topics: Leadership, Leaders
Pliability and liberality, when not restrained within due bounds, must ever turn to the ruin of their possessor.
—Tacitus
Topics: Excess
Neglected calumny soon expires; show that you are hurt, and you give it the appearance of truth.
—Tacitus
Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay; falsehood by haste and uncertainty.
—Tacitus
Topics: Deception/Lying
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
Greater things are believed of those who are absent.
—Tacitus
Topics: Absence
So, as you go into battle, remember your ancestors and remember your descendants.
—Tacitus
Topics: The Military
To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire; and where they make a wilderness, they call it peace.
—Tacitus
Topics: Wilderness
Those in supreme power always suspect and hate their next heir.
—Tacitus
Topics: Inheritance
When men are full of envy, they disparage everything, whether it be good or bad.
—Tacitus
Topics: Envy
Even the bravest men are frightened by sudden terrors.
—Tacitus
Topics: Fear
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
The hatred of those who are most nearly connected is the most inveterate.
—Tacitus
Topics: Quarrels, Hatred
He who is next heir to supreme power, is always suspected and hated by him who actually wields it.
—Tacitus
Topics: Jealousy
The hatred of relatives is the most violent.
—Tacitus
Topics: Family
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: Business, Ability
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Seneca the Elder (Marcus Annaeus Seneca) Roman Rhetorician
Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato) Roman Statesman
Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) Roman Stoic Philosopher
Cicero Roman Philosopher
Quintilian Roman Rhetorician, Literary Critic
Petronius Roman Courtier
Pliny the Elder Roman Scholar
Apuleius Roman Prose Writer
Pliny the Younger Roman Senator, Writer
Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) Roman Poet