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Power won by crime no one ever yet turned to a good purpose.

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
Power
Ever
Good
Turned
Crime
Purpose

More quotes by Tacitus

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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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It is common, to esteem most what is most unknown.
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Crime succeeds by sudden despatch honest counsels gain vigor by delay.
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Candor and generosity, unless tempered by due moderation, leads to ruin.
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We see many who are struggling against adversity who are happy, and more although abounding in wealth, who are wretched.
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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.
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The lust for power, for dominating others, inflames the heart more than any other passion.
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Flatterers are the worst kind of enemies. [Lat., Pessimum genus inimicorum laudantes.]
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In a state where corruption abounds, laws must be very numerous.
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Once killing starts, it is difficult to draw the line.
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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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A bitter jest, when it comes too near the truth, leaves a sharp sting behind it.
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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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Reckless adventure is the fool's hazard.
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We are corrupted by good fortune. [Lat., Felicitate corrumpimur.]
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Other men have acquired fame by industry, but this man by indolence.
Tacitus
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Even for learned men, love of fame is the last thing to be given up.
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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.
Tacitus
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If we must fall, we should boldly meet the danger. [Lat., Si cadere necesse est, occurendum discrimini.]
Tacitus
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Falsehood avails itself of haste and uncertainty.
Tacitus