Tacitus
Tacitus
PubliusCornelius Tacituswas a senator and a historian of the Roman Empire. The surviving portions of his two major works—the Annals and the Histories—examine the reigns of the Roman emperors Tiberius, Claudius, Nero, and those who reigned in the Year of the Four Emperors. These two works span the history of the Roman Empire from the death of Augustus in AD 14 to the years of the First Jewish–Roman War in AD 70. There are substantial lacunae in the surviving texts,...
NationalityRoman
ProfessionHistorian
leader reign christ
Auctor nominis eius Christus,Tiberio imperitante, per procuratorem Pontium Pilatum, supplicio affectus erat. Christ, the leader of the sect, had been put to death by the procurator Pontius Pilate in the reign of Tiberius.
reputation dangerous
An eminent reputation is as dangerous as a bad one.
peace freedom war
The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.
gratitude revenge men
Men are more ready to repay an injury than a benefit, because gratitude is a burden and revenge a pleasure
heart passion lust
The lust for power, for dominating others, inflames the heart more than any other passion.
courage valor there-is-hope
In valor there is hope.
corrupt numerous
The more corrupt the republic, the more numerous the laws.
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.
men vice
There will be vice as long as there are men
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
fame last love wise
Love of fame is the last thing even the wise give up
atrocity calling lay peace waste
When monarchs through their bloodthirsty commanders lay waste a country, they dignify their atrocity by calling it "Making Peace
necessity reforms rich satiety
Necessity reforms the poor, and satiety the rich
proper prudence qualities
Forethought and prudence are the proper qualities of a leader.