Sallust
Sallust
Gaius Sallustius Crispus, usually anglicised as Sallust, was a Roman historian, politician, and novus homo from a provincial plebeian family. Sallust was born at Amiternum in the country of the Sabines and was a popularis, an opponent of the old Roman aristocracy, throughout his career, and later a partisan of Julius Caesar. Sallust is the earliest known Roman historian with surviving works to his name, of which Catiline's War, The Jugurthine War, and the Historiesare still extant. Sallust was primarily...
NationalityRoman
ProfessionHistorian
gratitude ambition ties
Ambition breaks the ties of blood, and forgets the obligations of gratitude.
unity unions states
By union the smallest states thrive. By discord the greatest are destroyed.
littles
Do as much as possible, and talk of yourself as little as possible
kings honesty soldier
Neither soldiers nor money can defend a king but only friends won by good deeds, merit, and honesty.
running bravery risk
In battle it is the cowards who run the most risk; bravery is a rampart of defense.
likes-and-dislikes identity likes
The firmest friendship is based on an identity of likes and dislikes.
men desire liberty
Few men desire liberty; most men wish only for a just master.
passion men interest
No mortal man has ever served at the same time his passions and his best interests.
courage brave
Necessity makes even the timid brave.
honesty envy toil
They envy the distinction I have won; let them therefore, envy my toils, my honesty, and the methods by which I gained it.
anger mind firsts
All those who offer an opinion on any doubtful point should first clear their minds of every sentiment of dislike, friendship, anger or pity.
intellectual fleeting wealth
The fame that goes with wealth and beauty is fleeting and fragile; intellectual superiority is a possession glorious and eternal.
responsibility fate men
Each man the architect of his own fate.
animal effort silence
All persons who are enthusiastic that they should transcend the other animals ought to strive with the utmost effort not to pass through a life of silence, like cattle, which nature has fashioned to be prone and obedient to their stomachs.