Publius Tacitus
Publius Tacitus
aspired equal higher talents
He had talents equal to business, and aspired no higher
belonging calm qualities reason
Reason and calm judgment: the qualities especially belonging to a leader.
burns eloquence excite feed matter motion requires
It is of eloquence as of a flame; it requires matter to feed it, and motion to excite it; and it brightens as it burns
hate human injured nature whom
It is human nature to hate those whom you have injured
hate human nature weakness whom
It is a weakness of your human nature to hate those whom you have wronged.
peace
They made a wasteland and called it peace
behind bitter jest leaves near satire sharp sting truth
Bitter the jest when satire comes too near truth and leaves a sharp sting behind it
actions deeds evil fear history infamous office prevent principle reputation virtuous words
The principle 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.
call peace wilderness
They make a wilderness and call it peace.
proper prudence qualities
Forethought and prudence are the proper qualities of a leader.
call peace
They (the Romans) make a desert, and they call it peace
men vice
There will be vice as long as there are men
corrupt law-and-lawyers
The more corrupt the state, the more laws.
necessity reforms rich satiety
Necessity reforms the poor, and satiety the rich