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So obscure are the greatest events, as some take for granted any hearsay, whatever its source, others turn truth into falsehood, and both errors find encouragement with posterity.

Tacitus

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Tacitus
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Publius Cornelius Tacitus
Gaius Cornelius Tacitus
P. Cornelius Tacitus
C. Cornelius Tacitus
Cornelius Tacitus
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Even for learned men, love of fame is the last thing to be given up.
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The images of twenty of the most illustrious families the Manlii, the Quinctii, and other names of equal splendour were carried before it [the bier of Junia]. Those of Brutus and Cassius were not displayed but for that very reason they shone with pre-eminent lustre.
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[That form of] eloquence, the foster-child of licence, which fools call liberty. [Lat., Eloquentia, alumna licentiae, quam stulti libertatem vocabant.]
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Other men have acquired fame by industry, but this man by indolence.
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The more numerous the laws, the more corrupt the government.
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Every great example of punishment has in it some injustice, but the suffering individual is compensated by the public good.
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The love of dominion is the most engrossing passion.
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To abandon your shield is the basest of crimes nor may a man thus disgraced be present at the sacred rites, or enter their council many, indeed, after escaping from battle, have ended their infamy with the halter.
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Once killing starts, it is difficult to draw the line.
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Adversity deprives us of our judgment.
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Corruptisima republica plurimae leges.
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Liberty is given by nature even to mute animals.
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The powerful hold in deep remembrance an ill-timed pleasantry. [Lat., Facetiarum apud praepotentes in longum memoria est.]
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If you would know who controls you see who you may not criticise.
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Things are not to be judged good or bad merely because the public think so.
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It is a characteristic of the human mind to hate the man one has injured.
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If we must fall, we should boldly meet the danger. [Lat., Si cadere necesse est, occurendum discrimini.]
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An eminent reputation is as dangerous as a bad one.
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