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Quotes by Tacitus
58 quotations from The Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations (1896), with the subject each one is filed under.
Fortes et strenuos etiam contra fortunam insistere, timidos et ignaros ad desperationem formidine properare. The brave and bold persist even against fortune; the timid and cowardly rush to despair through fear alone.— filed under Bravery
Inerat tamen simplicitas ac liberalitas, quæ, nisi adsit modus in exitium vertuntur. He possessed simplicity and liberality, qualities which beyond a certain limit lead to ruin.— filed under Childhood
In turbas et discordias pessimo cuique plurima vis: pax et quies bonis artibus indigent. In seasons of tumult and discord bad men have most power; mental and moral excellence require peace and quietness.— filed under Childhood
Multos qui conflictari adversis videantur beatos; ac plerosque quamquam magnos per opes, miserrimos; si illi gravem fortunam constanter tolerant, hi prosperâ inconsulte utantur. Many who seem to be struggling with adversity are happy, whilst some in the midst of riches are miserable; this is the case when the former bear the pressure with constancy, and the latter employ their wealth thoughtlessly.— filed under Comparisons
Corruptissimâ republicâ, plurimæ leges. The more corrupt the state, the more laws.— filed under Corruption
Neque femina amissa pudicitiâ alia abnuerit. When a woman has lost her chastity, she will shrink from no crime.— filed under Crime
Si cadere necesse est, occurendum discrimini. If we must fall, we should boldly meet the danger.— filed under Custom
Honesta mors turpi vitâ potior. An honorable death is better than a dishonorable life.— filed under Deceit
Nulli jactantius mœrent quam qui maxime lætantur. None grieve so ostentatiously as those who rejoice most in heart.— filed under Delay
Magna eloquentia, sicut flamma, materiâ alitur, et motibus excitatur et urendo clarescit. It is the eloquence as of a flame; it requires matter to feed it, motion to excite it, and it brightens as it burns.— filed under Eloquence
Malorum facinorum ministri quasi exprobrantes aspiciuntur. Partakers of evil deeds are regarded as reproaching them.— filed under Example
Etiam sapientibus cupido gloriæ novissima exuitur. The love of fame is the last weakness which even the wise resign.— filed under Fame
Modestiæ fama neque summis mortalibus spernenda est. Modest fame is not to be despised by the highest characters.— filed under Fame
Etiam fortes viros subitis terreri. Even the bravest men are frightened by sudden terrors. S.— filed under Fear
Pessimum genus inimicorum laudantes. Flatterers are the worst kind of enemies.— filed under Folly
Libertatem naturâ etiam mutis animalibus datam. Liberty is given by nature even to mute animals.— filed under Freedom
Rarâ temporum felicitate, ubi sentire quæ velis, et quæ sentias dicere licet. Such being the happiness of the times, that you may think as you wish, and speak as you think.— filed under Freedom
Et ipse quidem, quamquam medio in spatio integræ ætatis ereptus, quantum ad gloriam, longissimum ævum peregit. As he, though carried off in the prime of life, had lived long enough for glory. C.— filed under Glory
Omnium consensu capax imperii, nisi imperâsset. In the opinion of all men he would have been regarded as capable of governing, if he had never governed.— filed under Government
Accerima proximorum odia. The hatred of relatives is the most violent. S.— filed under Hatred
Proprium humani ingenii, odisse quem læseris. It is human nature to hate those whom we have injured.— filed under Hatred
Præcipium munus annalium reor, ne virtutes sileantur, utque pravis dictis, factisque ex posteritate et infamiâ metus sit. 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.— filed under History
Et ille quidem plenus annis abiit, plenus honoribus, illis etiam quos recusavit. He died full of years and of honors, equally illustrious by those he refused as by those he accepted. PLINY the Younger-Epistolæ. II. 1. Suum cuique decus posteritas rependit. Posterity gives to every man his true honor.— filed under Honor
Omne ignotum pro magnifico. Everything unknown is magnified.— filed under Ignorance
Beneficia usque eo læta sunt dum videntur exsolvi posse; ubi multum antevenere pro gratiâ odium redditur. Benefits are acceptable, while the receiver thinks he may return them; but once exceeding that, hatred is given instead of thanks.— filed under Ingratitude
Asperæ facetiæ, ubi nimis ex vero traxere, Acram sui memoriam relinquunt. A bitter jest, when it comes too near the truth, leaves a sharp sting behind it.— filed under Jesting
Initia magistratuum nostrorum meliora, Neque enim lex est æquior ulla, ferme finis inclinat. Our magistrates discharge their duties best at the beginning; and fall off toward the end.— filed under Judgment
Tum, ut adsolet in amore et ira, jurgia, preces, exprobratio, satisfactio. Then there is the usual scene when lovers are excited with each other, quarrels, entreaties, reproaches, and then fondling reconcilement.— filed under Love
Impensa monumenti supervacua est: memoria nostra durabit, si vitâ meruimus. The erection of a monument is superfluous; the memory of us will last, if we have deserved it in our lives. PLINY the Younger-Epistolæ. IX. 19. Facetiarum apud præpotentes in longum memoria est. The powerful hold in deep remembrance an ill-timed pleasantry.— filed under Memory
Eo magis præfulgebat quod non videbatur. He shone with the greater splendor, because he was not seen.— filed under Obscurity
Corruption abounding in the commonwealth, the commonwealth abounded in laws.— filed under Occupations-Law
Auferre, trucidare, rapere, falsis nominibus imperium, atque, ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant. 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.— filed under Peace
Miseram pacem vel bello bene mutari. A peace may be so wretched as not to be ill exchanged for war.— filed under Peace
XIV. 18. Prævalent illicita. Things forbidden have a secret charm.— filed under Poetry
Cupido dominandi cunctis affectibus flagrantior est. Lust of power is the most flagrant of all the passions.— filed under Power
Imperium cupientibus nihil medium inter summa et præcipitia. In the struggle between those seeking power there is no middle course.— filed under Power
Imperium flagitio acquisitum nemo unquam bonis artibus exercuit. Power acquired by guilt was never used for a good purpose.— filed under Power
Potentiam cautis quam acribus consiliis tutius haberi. Power is more safely retained by cautious than by severe councils.— filed under Power
Suspectum semper invisumque dominantibus qui proximus destinaretur. Rulers always hate and suspect the next in succession.— filed under Power
Everything that is unknown is taken to be grand.— filed under Archimedes
Plura consilio quam vi perficimus. We accomplish more by prudence than by force.— filed under Prudence
Ratio et consilium, propriæ ducis artes. Forethought and prudence are the proper qualities of a leader.— filed under Prudence
Habet aliquid ex iniquo omne magnum exemplum, quod contra singulos, utilitate publicâ rependitus. Every great example of punishment has in it some injustice, but the suffering individual is compensated by the public good.— filed under Reason
Punitis ingeniis, gliscit auctoritas. When men of talents are punished, authority is strengthened.— filed under Reason
Seditiosissimus quisque ignavus. The most seditious is the most cowardly.— filed under Rebellion
Haud semper erret fama; aliquando et elegit. Rumor does not always err; it sometimes even elects a man.— filed under Rumor
Stella. Song II. See also Merry Wives of Windsor. Act III. Sc. 3. L. 45. The gods are on the side of the stronger.— filed under Success
Miseram pacem vel bello bene mutari. Even war is better than a wretched peace.— filed under War
Ratio et consilium propriæ ducis artes. The proper qualities of a general are judgment and deliberation.— filed under War
XXXVI. 4. Vetera extollimus recentium incuriosi. We extol ancient things, regardless of our own times.— filed under Agriculture
Omnia inconsulti impetus cœpta, initiis valida, spatio languescunt. All inconsiderate enterprises are impetuous at first, but soon languish.— filed under Business
Par negotiis neque supra. Neither above nor below his business.— filed under Business
Corporalente augescent, cito extinguuntur. Bodies are slow of growth, but are rapid in their dissolution.— filed under Cclx
Gestis Alexandri Magni. VII. 4. 13. Ignavissimus quisque, et ut res docuit, in periculo non ausurus, nimis verbis et linguâ feroces. Every recreant who proved his timidity in the hour of danger, was afterwards boldest in words and tongue.— filed under Cclxvii
Utque alios industria, ita hunc ignavia ad famam protulerat. Other men have acquired fame by industry, but this man by indolence.— filed under Indolence
Odia in longum jaciens, quæ reconderet, auctaque promeret. Laying aside his resentment, he stores it up to bring it forward with increased bitterness.— filed under Riches
Deos fortioribus adesse. The gods are on the side of the stronger.— filed under Suffrage
Veritas visû et morâ, falsa festinatione et incertis valescunt. Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay: falsehood by haste and uncertainty.— filed under Uniformity