A bad peace is even worse than war.
Tacitus

A desire to resist oppression is implanted in the nature of man.
Tacitus

A shocking crime was committed on the unscrupulous initiative of few individuals, with the blessing of more, and amid the passive acquiescence of all.
Tacitus

Abuse if you slight it, will gradually die away; but if you show yourself irritated, you will be thought to have deserved it.
Tacitus

All enterprises that are entered into with indiscreet zeal may be pursued with great vigor at first, but are sure to collapse in the end.
Tacitus

All things atrocious and shameless flock from all parts to Rome.
Tacitus

Be assured those will be thy worst enemies, not to whom thou hast done evil, but who have done evil to thee. And those will be thy best friends, not to whom thou hast done good, but who have done good to thee.
Tacitus

Candor and generosity, unless tempered by due moderation, leads to ruin.
Tacitus

Custom adapts itself to expediency.
Tacitus

Fear is not in the habit of speaking truth; when perfect sincerity is expected, perfect freedom must be allowed; nor has anyone who is apt to be angry when he hears the truth any cause to wonder that he does not hear it.
Tacitus


Greater things are believed of those who are absent.
Tacitus

He that fights and runs away, May turn and fight another day; But he that is in battle slain, Will never rise to fight again.
Tacitus

In a state where corruption abounds, laws must be very numerous.
Tacitus

It belongs to human nature to hate those you have injured.
Tacitus

It is human nature to hate the man whom you have hurt.
Tacitus

It is less difficult to bear misfortunes than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure.
Tacitus

Love of fame is the last thing even learned men can bear to be parted from.
Tacitus

Many who seem to be struggling with adversity are happy; many, amid great affluence, are utterly miserable.
Tacitus

No one would have doubted his ability to reign had he never been emperor.
Tacitus

Noble character is best appreciated in those ages in which it can most readily develop.
Tacitus