No one would have doubted his ability to reign had he never been emperor.
TACITUSBy punishing men of talent we confirm their authority.
More Tacitus Quotes
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A woman once fallen will shrink from no impropriety.
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Reckless adventure is the fool’s hazard.
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Valor is of no service, chance rules all, and the bravest often fall by the hands of cowards.
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Men are more ready to repay an injury than a benefit, because gratitude is a burden and revenge a pleasure.
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The unknown always passes for the marvellous.
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Other men have acquired fame by industry, but this man by indolence.
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When men of talents are punished, authority is strengthened. [Lat., Punitis ingeniis, gliscit auctoritas.]
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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.]
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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.
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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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Power acquired by guilt was never used for a good purpose.
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The lust of dominion burns with a flame so fierce as to overpower all other affections of the human breast.
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In valor there is hope.
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Those in supreme power always suspect and hate their next heir.
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It is the nature of the human disposition to hate him whom you have injured.
TACITUS