Prosperity is the measure or touchstone of virtue, for it is less difficult to bear misfortune than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure.
—Tacitus
Topics: Misfortunes, Fortune, Prosperity
When a woman has lost her chastity she will shrink from nothing.
—Tacitus
Topics: Modesty, Humility
So, as you go into battle, remember your ancestors and remember your descendants.
—Tacitus
Topics: The Military
The lust of fame is the last that a wise man shakes off.
—Tacitus
Topics: Fame
We see many who are struggling against adversity who are happy, and more although abounding in wealth, who are wretched.
—Tacitus
Topics: Adversity
Love of fame is the last thing even learned men can bear to be parted from.
—Tacitus
Topics: Fame
Forbidden things have a secret charm.
—Tacitus
Topics: Charm, Value
Valor is of no service, chance rules all, and the bravest often fall by the hands of cowards.
—Tacitus
Topics: Valor, Bravery
The hatred of relatives is the most violent.
—Tacitus
Topics: Family
Pliability and liberality, when not restrained within due bounds, must ever turn to the ruin of their possessor.
—Tacitus
Topics: Excess
Reason and judgment are the qualities of a leader.
—Tacitus
Topics: Leaders, Leadership
The more corrupt the republic, the more numerous the laws.
—Tacitus
Topics: Justice
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
Posterity will pay everyone their due.
—Tacitus
Topics: Past, The Past
The brave and bold persist even against fortune; the timid and cowardly rush to despair though fear alone.
—Tacitus
Topics: Bravery, Courage
Those in supreme power always suspect and hate their next heir.
—Tacitus
Topics: Inheritance
It is human nature to hate him whom you have injured.
—Tacitus
Topics: Hatred
It is a weakness of your human nature to hate those whom you have wronged.
—Tacitus
Topics: Insults, Hatred
Greater things are believed of those who are absent.
—Tacitus
Topics: Absence
There will be vice as long as there are men.
—Tacitus
Topics: Vice
Things forbidden have a secret charm.
—Tacitus
Topics: Charm, Temptation
Candor and generosity, unless tempered by due moderation, leads to ruin.
—Tacitus
Topics: Moderation
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.
—Tacitus
Topics: Security
Neglected calumny soon expires; show that you are hurt, and you give it the appearance of truth.
—Tacitus
The more corrupt the state, the more laws.
—Tacitus
Topics: Lawyers, Law
Noble character is best appreciated in those ages in which it can most readily develop.
—Tacitus
Topics: Character
If we must fall, we should boldly meet the danger.
—Tacitus
Topics: Danger, Bravery, Courage
Necessity reforms the poor, and satiety the rich.
—Tacitus
Topics: Reform
No one would have doubted his ability to reign had he never been emperor.
—Tacitus
Topics: Leadership, Leaders
Seek to make a person blush for their guilt rather than shed their blood.
—Tacitus
Topics: Guilt
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
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