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This I regard as history's highest function, to let no worthy action be uncommemorated, and to hold out the reprobation of posterity as a terror to evil words and deeds.

Tacitus

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Tacitus
Annalist
Biographer
Historian
Jurist
Military Personnel
Philosopher
Poet
Politician
Gallia Bracata
Publius Cornelius Tacitus
Gaius Cornelius Tacitus
P. Cornelius Tacitus
C. Cornelius Tacitus
Cornelius Tacitus
History
Terror
Action
Worthy
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Highest
Hold
Evil
Posterity
Words
Deeds

More quotes by Tacitus

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We are corrupted by good fortune. [Lat., Felicitate corrumpimur.]
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Yet the age was not so utterly destitute of virtues but that it produced some good examples. [Lat., Non tamen adeo virtutum sterile seculum, ut non et bona exempla prodiderit.]
Tacitus
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We extol ancient things, regardless of our own times. [Lat., Vetera extollimus recentium incuriosi.]
Tacitus
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Forethought and prudence are the proper qualities of a leader. [Lat., Ratio et consilium, propriae ducis artes.]
Tacitus
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In stirring up tumult and strife, the worst men can do the most, but peace and quiet cannot be established without virtue.
Tacitus
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Posterity gives to every man his true honor. [Lat., Suum cuique decus posteritas rependet.]
Tacitus
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It is common, to esteem most what is most unknown.
Tacitus
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Fear is not in the habit of speaking truth.
Tacitus
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An eminent reputation is as dangerous as a bad one.
Tacitus
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Our magistrates discharge their duties best at the beginning and fall off toward the end. [Lat., Initia magistratuum nostrorum meliora, ferme finis inclinat.]
Tacitus
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Once killing starts, it is difficult to draw the line.
Tacitus
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Deos fortioribus adesse. The gods support those who are stronger.
Tacitus
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Things forbidden have a secret charm.
Tacitus
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Rumor is not always wrong
Tacitus
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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.
Tacitus
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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.]
Tacitus
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Rulers always hate and suspect the next in succession. [Lat., Suspectum semper invisumque dominantibus qui proximus destinaretur.]
Tacitus
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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.
Tacitus
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Adversity deprives us of our judgment.
Tacitus
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Posterity allows to every man his true value and proper honours.
Tacitus