Quote

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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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
Beginning
Duty
Law
Fall
Ends
Magistrates
Best
Discharge
Duties
Toward

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Valor is of no service, chance rules all, and the bravest often fall by the hands of cowards.
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To abandon your shield is the basest of crimes nor may a man thus disgraced be present at the sacred rites, or enter their council many, indeed, after escaping from battle, have ended their infamy with the halter.
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The love of dominion is the most engrossing passion.
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If you would know who controls you see who you may not criticise.
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Following Emporer Nero's command, Let the Christians be exterminated!: . . . they [the Christians] were made the subjects of sport they were covered with the hides of wild beasts and worried to death by dogs, or nailed to crosses or set fire to, and when the day waned, burned to serve for the evening lights.
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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 Jews have] an attitude of hostility and hatred towards all others.
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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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Greater things are believed of those who are absent.
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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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Posterity gives to every man his true honor. [Lat., Suum cuique decus posteritas rependet.]
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Things forbidden have a secret charm.
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The hatred of relatives is the most violent.
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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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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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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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Zealous in the commencement, careless in the end.
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Once killing starts, it is difficult to draw the line.
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Miseram pacem vel bello bene mutari. Even war is preferable to a shameful peace.
Tacitus