Quotes by Tacitus

Publius Cornelius Tacitus, born around 56 AD, was a prominent Roman historian and senator whose works provide invaluable insights into the Roman Empire's politics and society. His major writings, including the "Annals" and "Histories," dissect the complexities of power, governance, and morality during a tumultuous period. Tacitus's keen observations and eloquent prose have earned him a lasting legacy as one of the greatest historians of antiquity, influencing generations of historians and thinkers with his incisive critiques of tyranny and advocacy for liberty.

9 quotes found

"Reason and judgment are the qualities of a leader."

Tacitus

"Valor is of no service, chance rules all, and the bravest often fall by the hands of cowards."

Tacitus

"Old things are always in good repute, present things in disfavor."

Tacitus

"The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise."

Tacitus

"A bad peace is even worse than war."

Tacitus

"To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire; and where they make a wilderness, they call it peace."

Tacitus

"Fear is not in the habit of speaking truth; when perfect sincerity is expected, perfect freedom must be allowed; nor has anyone who is apt to be angry when he hears the truth any cause to wonder that he does not hear it."

Tacitus

"Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay; falsehood by haste and uncertainty."

Tacitus

"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."

Tacitus

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