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So true is it that all transactions of preeminent importance are wrapt in doubt and obscurity while some hold for certain facts the most precarious hearsays, others turn facts into falsehood and both are exaggerated by posterity.

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
Hold
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Precarious
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Transactions
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Obscurity
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Falsehood
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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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Many who seem to be struggling with adversity are happy many, amid great affluence, are utterly miserable.
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People flatter us because they can depend upon our credulity.
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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.
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The love of dominion is the most engrossing passion.
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All things atrocious and shameless flock from all parts to Rome.
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Remedies are more tardy in their operation than diseases.
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Traitors are hated even by those whom they prefer.
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Lust of power is the most flagrant of all the passions.
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Eloquence wins its great and enduring fame quite as much from the benches of our opponents as from those of our friends.
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A desire to resist oppression is implanted in the nature of man.
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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 more numerous the laws, the more corrupt the government.
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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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Flatterers are the worst kind of enemies. [Lat., Pessimum genus inimicorum laudantes.]
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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.
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It is less difficult to bear misfortunes than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure.
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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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Laws were most numerous when the commonwealth was most corrupt
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Zealous in the commencement, careless in the end.
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