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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
Function
Highest
Hold
Evil
Posterity
Words
Deeds
History
Terror
Action
Worthy
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More quotes by Tacitus

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Every recreant who proved his timidity in the hour of danger, was afterwards boldest in words and tongue.
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The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.
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Bodies are slow of growth, but are rapid in their dissolution. [Lat., Corpora lente augescent, cito extinguuntur.]
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You might believe a good man easily, a great man with pleasure. -Bonum virum facile crederes, magnum libenter
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The love of fame is a love that even the wisest of men are reluctant to forgo.
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Valor is the contempt of death and pain.
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Candor and generosity, unless tempered by due moderation, leads to ruin.
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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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Cassius and Brutus were the more distinguished for that very circumstance that their portraits were absent. [Lat., Praefulgebant Cassius atque Brutus eo ipso, quod effigies eorum non videbantur.]
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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.
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In the struggle between those seeking power there is no middle course.
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Other men have acquired fame by industry, but this man by indolence.
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The principal office of history I take to be this: to prevent virtuous actions from being forgotten, and that evil words and deeds should fear an infamous reputation with posterity.
Tacitus
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Who the first inhabitants of Britain were, whether natives or immigrants, remains obscure one must remember we are dealing with barbarians.
Tacitus
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Zealous in the commencement, careless in the end.
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Power acquired by guilt was never used for a good purpose. [Lat., Imperium flagitio acquisitum nemo unquam bonis artibus exercuit.]
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The love of fame is the last weakness which even the wise resign.
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If you would know who controls you see who you may not criticise.
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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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Benefits received are a delight to us as long as we think we can requite them when that possibility is far exceeded, they are repaid with hatred instead of gratitude.
Tacitus