Quote

Power acquired by guilt was never used for a good purpose. [Lat., Imperium flagitio acquisitum nemo unquam bonis artibus exercuit.]

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
Purpose
Power
Used
Good
Never
Imperium
Nemo
Acquired
Guilt

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Forethought and prudence are the proper qualities of a leader. [Lat., Ratio et consilium, propriae ducis artes.]
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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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Flattery labors under the odious charge of servility.
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All enterprises that are entered into with indiscreet zeal may be pursued with great vigor at first, but are sure to collapse in the end.
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Rumor is not always wrong
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People flatter us because they can depend upon our credulity.
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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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Valor is of no service, chance rules all, and the bravest often fall by the hands of cowards.
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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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It is common, to esteem most what is most unknown.
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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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We extol ancient things, regardless of our own times. [Lat., Vetera extollimus recentium incuriosi.]
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Even honor and virtue make enemies, condemning, as they do, their opposites by too close a contrast.
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Other men have acquired fame by industry, but this man by indolence.
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Lust of power is the most flagrant of all the passions.
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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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Viewed from a distance, everything is beautiful.
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