In private enterprises men may advance or recede, whereas they who aim at empire have no alternative between the highest success and utter downfall.
TACITUSThe lust of dominion burns with a flame so fierce as to overpower all other affections of the human breast.
More Tacitus Quotes
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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.
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Perdomita Britannia et statim omissa. Britain was conquered and immediately lost.
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No one in Germany laughs at vice, nor do they call it the fashion to corrupt and to be corrupted.
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Power won by crime no one ever yet turned to a good purpose.
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Modest fame is not to be despised by the highest characters. [Lat., Modestiae fama neque summis mortalibus spernenda est.]
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The task of history is to hold out for reprobation every evil word and deed, and to hold out for praise every great and noble word and deed.
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The gods are on the side of the stronger.
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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.
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None make a greater show of sorrow than those who are most delighted.
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Power acquired by guilt was never used for a good purpose.
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To rob, to ravage, to murder, in their imposing language, are the arts of civil policy. When they have made the world a solitude, they call it peace.
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A shocking crime was committed on the unscrupulous initiative of few individuals, with the blessing of more, and amid the passive acquiescence of all.
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An eminent reputation is as dangerous as a bad one.
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They make solitude, which they call peace.
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This I regard as history’s highest function, to let no worthy action be uncommemorated, and to hold out the reprobation of posterity as a terror to evil words and deeds.
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