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.
TACITUSExperience teaches. [Lat., Experientia docet.]
More Tacitus Quotes
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Eloquence wins its great and enduring fame quite as much from the benches of our opponents as from those of our friends.
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Even honor and virtue make enemies, condemning, as they do, their opposites by too close a contrast.
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The hatred of those who are near to us is most violent.
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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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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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All inconsiderate enterprises are impetuous at first, but soon lanquish. [Lat., Omnia inconsulti impetus coepta, initiis valida, spatio languescunt.]
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There can never be a complete confidence in a power which is excessive.
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Be assured those will be thy worst enemies, not to whom thou hast done evil, but who have done evil to thee. And those will be thy best friends, not to whom thou hast done good, but who have done good to thee.
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Everything unknown is magnified. [Lat., Omne ignotum pro magnifico est.]
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The persecution of genius fosters its influence.
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Crime, once exposed, has no refuge but in audacity.
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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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We extol ancient things, regardless of our own times. [Lat., Vetera extollimus recentium incuriosi.]
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Legions and fleets are not such sure bulwarks of imperial power as a numerous family
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Things forbidden have a secret charm.
TACITUS