“No one would have doubted his ability to reign had he never been emperor.”

Whatever is unknown is magnified.

Seek to make a person blush for their guilt rather than shed their blood.

Traitors are hated even by those whom they prefer.

The persecution of genius fosters its influence.

The most seditious is the most cowardly.

Posterity allows to every man his true value and proper honours.

By general consent, he would have been capable of ruling, had he not ruled.

It is not becoming to grieve immoderately for the dead.

The injustice of a government is proportional to the number of its laws.

If you would know who controls you see who you may not criticise.

The worst crimes were dared by a few, willed by more and tolerated by all.

Nothing mortal is so unstable and subject to change as power which has no foundation.

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.

Everything unknown is magnified. [Lat., Omne ignotum pro magnifico est.]

Abuse if you slight it, will gradually die away; but if you show yourself irritated, you will be thought to have deserved it.

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.