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[That form of] eloquence, the foster-child of licence, which fools call liberty. [Lat., Eloquentia, alumna licentiae, quam stulti libertatem vocabant.]

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
Call
Quam
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Licence
Children
Foster
Eloquence
Fools
Fool
Liberty
Child

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An eminent reputation is as dangerous as a bad one.
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We extol ancient things, regardless of our own times. [Lat., Vetera extollimus recentium incuriosi.]
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Cruelty is fed, not weakened, by tears.
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It is common, to esteem most what is most unknown.
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Posterity allows to every man his true value and proper honours.
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Fear is not in the habit of speaking truth.
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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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Falsehood avails itself of haste and uncertainty.
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Power won by crime no one ever yet turned to a good purpose.
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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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Lust of power is the most flagrant of all the passions.
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Adversity deprives us of our judgment.
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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.
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The lust for power, for dominating others, inflames the heart more than any other passion.
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Reckless adventure is the fool's hazard.
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