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
war shameful
Miseram pacem vel bello bene mutari. Even war is preferable to a shameful peace.
war party conquest
War will of itself discover and lay open the hidden and rankling wounds of the victorious party.
peace war
It was rather a cessation of war than a beginning of peace. [Lat., Bellum magis desierat, quam pax coeperat.]
peace war empires
To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire; and where they make a wilderness, they call it peace.
peace war rome
A bad peace is even worse than war.
war crime worst
The worst crimes were dared by a few, willed by more and tolerated by all.
peace freedom war
The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.
bear last learned love men
Love of fame is the last thing even learned men can bear to be parted from.
human nature whom
It is human nature to hate the man whom you have hurt.
bear less misfortune prosperity remain touchstone
Prosperity is the measure or touchstone of virtue, for it is less difficult to bear misfortune than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure.
When the state is most corrupt, then the laws are most multiplied.
easier found injury
It is always easier to requite an injury than a service: gratitude is a burden, but revenge is found to pay.
power legion
Legions and fleets are not such sure bulwarks of imperial power as a numerous family
men fame indolence
Other men have acquired fame by industry, but this man by indolence.