The principal office of history I take to be this: to prevent virtuous actions from being forgotten, and that evil words and deeds should fear an infamous reputation with posterity.
TACITUSFear 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.
More Tacitus Quotes
-
-
The powerful hold in deep remembrance an ill-timed pleasantry. [Lat., Facetiarum apud praepotentes in longum memoria est.]
TACITUS -
Cassius and Brutus were the more distinguished for that very circumstance that their portraits were absent.
TACITUS -
All bodies are slow in growth but rapid in decay.
TACITUS -
That cannot be safe which is not honourable.
TACITUS -
In valor there is hope.
TACITUS -
The hatred of relatives is the most violent.
TACITUS -
Seek to make a person blush for their guilt rather than shed their blood.
TACITUS -
Crime, once exposed, has no refuge but in audacity.
TACITUS -
Valor is the contempt of death and pain.
TACITUS -
There can never be a complete confidence in a power which is excessive.
TACITUS -
Experience teaches. [Lat., Experientia docet.]
TACITUS -
Flatterers are the worst kind of enemies. [Lat., Pessimum genus inimicorum laudantes.]
TACITUS -
It is the rare fortune of these days that one may think what one likes and say what one thinks.
TACITUS -
Forethought and prudence are the proper qualities of a leader. [Lat., Ratio et consilium, propriae ducis artes.]
TACITUS -
Following Emporer Nero’s command, “Let the Christians be exterminated!:” . . . they [the Christians] were made the subjects of sport; they were covered with the hides of wild beasts and worried to death by dogs, or nailed to crosses or set fire to, and when the day waned, burned to serve for the evening lights.
TACITUS






