Sallust

Think like a man of action, and act like a man of thought.

He only seems to me to live, and to make proper use of life, who sets himself some serious work to do, and seeks the credit of a task well and skillfully performed.

It is sweet to serve ones country by deeds and it is not absurd to serve her by words.

He that will be angry for anything will be angry for nothing.

The fame that goes with wealth and beauty is fleeting and fragile; intellectual superiority is a possession glorious and eternal.

In my opinion, he only may be truly said to live and enjoy his being who is engaged in some laudable pursuit, and acquires a name by some illustrious action, or useful art.

In battle it is the cowards who run the most risk; bravery is a rampart of defense.

It is better to use fair means and fail, than foul and conquer.

The higher your station, the less your liberty.

Necessity makes even the timid brave.

Most honorable are services rendered to the State; even if they do not go beyond words, they are not to be despised.

Do as much as possible, and talk of yourself as little as possible.

The firmest friendship is based on an identity of likes and dislikes.

Everything that rises sets, and everything that grows, grows old.

The renown which riches or beauty confer is fleeting and frail mental excellence is a splendid and lasting possession.

As the blessings of health and fortune have a beginning, so they must also find an end. Everything rises but to fall, and increases but to decay.

No mortal man has ever served at the same time his passions and his best interests.

Small communities grow great through harmony, great ones fall to pieces through discord.

It is the nature of ambition to make men liars and cheats to hide the truth in their breasts and show like jugglers another thing in their mouths.

Ambition breaks the ties of blood, and forgets the obligations of gratitude.

Before you act, consider; when you have considered, tis fully time to act.

Neither soldiers nor money can defend a king but only friends won by good deeds, merit, and honesty.

Kings are more prone to mistrust the good than the bad; and they are always afraid of the virtues of others.

It is a law of human nature that in victory even the coward may boast of his prowess, while defeat injures the reputation even of the brave.

Harmony makes small things grow, lack of it makes great things decay.

Every man is the architect of his own fortune.

Distinguished ancestors shed a powerful light on their descendants, and forbid the concealment either of their merits or of their demerits.

We employ the mind to rule, the body to serve.

No man underestimates the wrongs he suffers; many take them more seriously than is right.

All who consult on doubtful matters, should be void of hatred, friendship, anger, and pity.

The glory that goes with wealth is fleeting and fragile; virtue is a possession glorious and eternal.

Every bad precedent originated as a justifiable measure.

To like and dislike the same things, this is what makes a solid friendship.

A good man would prefer to be defeated than to defeat injustice by evil means.

In battle it is the cowards who run the most risk bravery is a rampart of defense.

By union the smallest states thrive. By discord the greatest are destroyed.

Harmony makes small things grow lack of it makes great things decay.

Ambition drove many men to become false; to have one thought locked in the breast, another ready on the tongue.

To like and dislike the same things, that is indeed true friendship.

All those who offer an opinion on any doubtful point should first clear their minds of every sentiment of dislike, friendship, anger or pity.

Few men desire liberty; most men wish only for a just master.

In my opinion it is less shameful for a king to be overcome by force of arms than by bribery.

Those most moved to tears by every word of a preacher are generally weak and a rascal when the feelings evaporate.

It is sweet to serve one's country by deeds, and it is not absurd to serve her by words.

They envy the distinction I have won; let them therefore, envy my toils, my honesty, and the methods by which I gained it.

In my own case, who have spent my whole life in the practice of virtue, right conduct from habitual has become natural.

It is the nature of ambition to make men liars and cheats, to hide the truth in their breasts, and show, like jugglers, another thing in their mouths, to cut all friendships and enmities to the measure of their own interest, and to make a good countenance without the help of good will.

Just to stir things up seemed a great reward in itself.