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Forethought and prudence are the proper qualities of a leader. [Lat., Ratio et consilium, propriae ducis artes.]

Tacitus

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Tacitus
Annalist
Biographer
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Military Personnel
Philosopher
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Gallia Bracata
Publius Cornelius Tacitus
Gaius Cornelius Tacitus
P. Cornelius Tacitus
C. Cornelius Tacitus
Cornelius Tacitus
Ratios
Prudence
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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.]
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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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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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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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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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Miseram pacem vel bello bene mutari. Even war is preferable to a shameful peace.
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Yet the age was not so utterly destitute of virtues but that it produced some good examples. [Lat., Non tamen adeo virtutum sterile seculum, ut non et bona exempla prodiderit.]
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A bitter jest, when it comes too near the truth, leaves a sharp sting behind it.
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Rumor does not always err it sometimes even elects a man.
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The love of fame is a love that even the wisest of men are reluctant to forgo.
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Old things are always in good repute, present things in disfavor.
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Things are not to be judged good or bad merely because the public think so.
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Necessity reforms the poor, and satiety reforms the rich.
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Rumor is not always wrong
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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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It belongs to human nature to hate those you have injured.
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The love of dominion is the most engrossing passion.
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Corruptissima re publica plurimae leges.
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All bodies are slow in growth but rapid in decay.
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Who the first inhabitants of Britain were, whether natives or immigrants, remains obscure one must remember we are dealing with barbarians.
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