Quotes from Ancient Times
Tacitus historian of the Roman Empire
The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.
To show resentment at a reproach is to acknowledge that one may have deserved it.
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.
It is the rare fortune of these days that one may think what one likes and say what one thinks.
One who is allowed to sin, sins less.
A desire to resist oppression is implanted in the nature of man.
So as you go into battle, remember your ancestors and remember your descendants.
Everything unknown is magnified.
It belongs to human nature to hate those you have injured.
The worst crimes were dared by a few, willed by more and tolerated by all.
Formerly we suffered from crimes; now we suffer from laws.
Things are not to be judged good or bad merely because the public think so.
Secure against the designs of men, secure against the malignity of the Gods, they have accomplished a thing of infinite difficulty; that to them nothing remains even to be wished.
Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay; falsehood by haste and uncertainty.
All ancient history was written with a moral object; the ethical interest predominates almost to the exclusion of all others.
For it is the rare fortune of these days that a man may think what he likes and say what he thinks.
Men are more ready to repay an injury than a benefit, because gratitude is a burden and revenge a pleasure.
Rarely will two or three tribes confer to repulse a common danger. Accordingly they fight individually and are collectively conquered.
He realized that monarchy was essential to peace, and that the price of freedom was violence and disorder.
To ravage, to slaughter, to steal, this they give the false name of empire; and where they create a desert, they call it peace.
Every recreant who proved his timidity in the hour of danger, was afterwards boldest in words and tongue.
To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire; and where they make a wilderness, they call it peace.
Memorable Quotes
Viewed from a distance, everything is beautiful.
Great empires are not maintained by timidity.
A bad peace is worse than war.
Crime, once exposed, has no refuge but in audacity.
The more corrupt the state, the more it legislates.
Greater things are believed of those who are absent.
The more corrupt the republic, the more numerous the laws.
The most seditious is the most cowardly.
In valor there is hope.
Insightful Quotes cards
Crime, once exposed, has no refuge but in audacity.
If you would know who controls you see who you may not criticise.
Who, to say nothing about the perils of an awful and unknown sea, would have left Asia or Africa or Italy to look for Germany?
It is the rare fortune of these days that a man may think what he likes and say what he thinks.
It is a principle of nature to hate those whom you have injured.
If you would know who controls you see who you may not criticise.