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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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Gallia Bracata
Publius Cornelius Tacitus
Gaius Cornelius Tacitus
P. Cornelius Tacitus
C. Cornelius Tacitus
Cornelius Tacitus
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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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In private enterprises men may advance or recede, whereas they who aim at empire have no alternative between the highest success and utter downfall.
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The repose of nations cannot be secure without arms, armies cannot be maintained without pay, nor can the pay be produced without taxes
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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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When men of talents are punished, authority is strengthened. [Lat., Punitis ingeniis, gliscit auctoritas.]
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Viewed from a distance, everything is beautiful.
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The sciences throw an inexpressible grace over our compositions, even where they are not immediately concerned as their effects are discernible where we least expect to find them.
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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.
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Things forbidden have a secret charm.
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Laws were most numerous when the commonwealth was most corrupt
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People flatter us because they can depend upon our credulity.
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We extol ancient things, regardless of our own times. [Lat., Vetera extollimus recentium incuriosi.]
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Benefits are acceptable, while the receiver thinks he may return them but once exceeding that, hatred is given instead of thanks. [Lat., Beneficia usque eo laeta sunt dum videntur exsolvi posse ubi multum antevenere pro gratia odium redditur.]
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An honorable death is better than a dishonorable life. [Lat., Honesta mors turpi vita potior.]
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None make a greater show of sorrow than those who are most delighted.
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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.
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Falsehood avails itself of haste and uncertainty.
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Necessity reforms the poor, and satiety reforms the rich.
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Even the bravest men are frightened by sudden terrors.
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All bodies are slow in growth but rapid in decay.
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