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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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Tacitus
Annalist
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Gallia Bracata
Publius Cornelius Tacitus
Gaius Cornelius Tacitus
P. Cornelius Tacitus
C. Cornelius Tacitus
Cornelius Tacitus
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The lust of dominion burns with a flame so fierce as to overpower all other affections of the human breast.
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Tacitus has written an entire work on the manners of the Germans. This work is short, but it comes from the pen of Tacitus, who was always concise, because he saw everything at a glance.
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In the struggle between those seeking power there is no middle course.
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War will of itself discover and lay open the hidden and rankling wounds of the victorious party.
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It is less difficult to bear misfortunes than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure.
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The lust for power, for dominating others, inflames the heart more than any other passion.
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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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[The Jews have] an attitude of hostility and hatred towards all others.
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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.]
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We see many who are struggling against adversity who are happy, and more although abounding in wealth, who are wretched.
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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.
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There was more courage in bearing trouble than in escaping from it the brave and the energetic cling to hope, even in spite of fortune the cowardly and the indolent are hurried by their fears,' said Plotius Firmus, Roman Praetorian Guard.
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Lust of power is the most flagrant of all the passions.
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The more numerous the laws, the more corrupt the government.
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Other men have acquired fame by industry, but this man by indolence.
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Falsehood avails itself of haste and uncertainty.
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Custom adapts itself to expediency.
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If you would know who controls you see who you may not criticise.
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Things forbidden have a secret charm.
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We are corrupted by good fortune. [Lat., Felicitate corrumpimur.]
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