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.
TACITUSEven honor and virtue make enemies, condemning, as they do, their opposites by too close a contrast.
More Tacitus Quotes
-
-
Every recreant who proved his timidity in the hour of danger, was afterwards boldest in words and tongue.
TACITUS -
The sciences throw an inexpressible grace over our compositions, even where they are not immediately concerned; as their effects are discernible where we least expect to find them.
TACITUS -
The love of fame is a love that even the wisest of men are reluctant to forgo.
TACITUS -
Benefits received are a delight to us as long as we think we can requite them; when that possibility is far exceeded, they are repaid with hatred instead of gratitude.
TACITUS -
Victor and vanquished never unite in substantial agreement.
TACITUS -
The brave and bold persist even against fortune; the timid and cowardly rush to despair through fear alone. [Lat., Fortes et strenuos etiam contra fortunam insistere, timidos et ignoros ad desperationem formidine properare.]
TACITUS -
So as you go into battle, remember your ancestors and remember your descendants.
TACITUS -
All those things that are now field to be of the greatest antiquity were at one time new; what we to-day hold up by example will rank hereafter as precedent.
TACITUS -
Candor and generosity, unless tempered by due moderation, leads to ruin.
TACITUS -
Cassius and Brutus were the more distinguished for that very circumstance that their portraits were absent.
TACITUS -
The persecution of genius fosters its influence.
TACITUS -
The grove is the centre of their whole religion. It is regarded as the cradle of the race and the dwelling-place of the supreme god to whom all things are subject and obedient.
TACITUS -
In a state where corruption abounds, laws must be very numerous.
TACITUS -
Who the first inhabitants of Britain were, whether natives or immigrants, remains obscure; one must remember we are dealing with barbarians.
TACITUS -
Other men have acquired fame by industry, but this man by indolence.
TACITUS