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.

Reason and judgment are the qualities of a leader.

Prosperity is the measure or touchstone of virtue, for it is less difficult to bear misfortune than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure.

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.

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

To show resentment at a reproach is to acknowledge that one may have deserved it.

If you would know who controls you see who you may not criticise.

The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.

Seek to make a person blush for their guilt rather than shed their blood.

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.

Greater things are believed of those who are absent.

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

To plunder to slaughter to steal these things they misname empire and where they make a wilderness they call it peace.

We see many who are struggling against adversity who are happy, and more although abounding in wealth, who are wretched.

When men are full of envy they disparage everything, whether it be good or bad.

Old things are always in good repute, present things in disfavor.

Cruelty is fed not weakened by tears.

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

Valor is the contempt of death and pain.

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

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

Crime succeeds by sudden despatch honest counsels gain vigor by delay.

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

When the state is most corrupt, then the laws are most multiplied.

Valor is of no service, chance rules all, and the bravest often fall by the hands of cowards.

The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.

The worst hatred is that of relatives.

To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire; and where they make a wilderness, they call it peace.

More faults are often committed while we are trying to oblige than while we are giving offense.

It is always easier to requite an injury than a service: gratitude is a burden, but revenge is found to pay.

Victor and vanquished never unite in substantial agreement.

Things forbidden have a secret charm.

When a woman has lost her chastity she will shrink from nothing.

Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay; falsehood by haste and uncertainty.

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

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

Those in supreme power always suspect and hate their next heir.

A bad peace is even worse than war.

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.

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

The persecution of genius fosters its influence.

Custom adapts itself to expediency.

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

The lust of dominion burns with a flame so fierce as to overpower all other affections of the human breast.

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

When men are full of envy they disparage everything whether it be good or bad.

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

Reckless adventure is the fool's hazard.

In private enterprises men may advance or recede whereas they who aim at empire have no alternative between the highest success and utter downfall.

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

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

He shone with the greater splendor, because he was not seen.