Harmony makes small things grow; lack of it makes great things decay.
SALLUSTHarmony makes small things grow; lack of it makes great things decay.
SALLUSTOf the cosmic Gods some make the world be, others animate it, others harmonize it, consisting as it does of different elements; the fourth class keep it when harmonized.
SALLUSTAll persons who are enthusiastic that they should transcend the other animals ought to strive with the utmost effort not to pass through a life of silence, like cattle, which nature has fashioned to be prone and obedient to their stomachs.
SALLUSTNeither the army nor the treasury, but friends, are the true supports of the throne; for friends cannot be collected by force of arms, nor purchased with money; they are the offspring of kindness and sincerity.
SALLUSTIn my opinion it is less shameful for a king to be overcome by force of arms than by bribery.
SALLUSTThe fame that goes with wealth and beauty is fleeting and fragile; intellectual superiority is a possession glorious and eternal.
SALLUSTIn my opinion, he only may be truly said to live and enjoy his being who is engaged in some laudable pursuit, and acquires a name by some illustrious action, or useful art.
SALLUSTSince we have received everything from the Gods, and it is right to pay the giver some tithe of his gifts, we pay such a tithe of possessions in votive offering, of bodies in gifts of (hair and) adornment, and of life in sacrifices.
SALLUSTNot by vows nor by womanish prayers is the help of the gods obtained; success comes through vigilance, energy, wise counsel.
SALLUSTFor harmony makes small states great, while discord undermines the mightiest empires.
SALLUSTThe Gods being good and making all things, there is no positive evil, it only comes by absence of good; just as darkness itself does not exist, but only comes about by absence of light.
SALLUSTAmong intellectual pursuits, one of the most useful is the recording of past events.
SALLUSTFor men who had easily endured hardship, danger and difficult uncertainty, leisure and riches, though in some ways desirable, proved burdensome and a source of grief.
SALLUSTDeliberate before you begin; but, having carefully done so, execute with vigour.
SALLUSTWhen the prizes fall to the lot of the wicked, you will not find many who are virtuous for virtue’s sake.
SALLUSTIt is always easy to begin a war, but very difficult to stop one.
SALLUST