Tacitus quotes - page 2

Because they didn't know better, they called it "civilization," when it was part of their slavery. (Tacitus)
No honour was left for the gods, when Augustus chose to be himself worshipped with temples and statues, like those of the deities, and with flamens and priests. View quote
Tacitus
The soldiers have the plunder of a city that is stormed, the generals of one which capitulates. View quote
Tacitus
Their shields are black, their bodies dyed. They choose dark nights for battle, and, by the dread and gloomy aspect of their death-like host, strike terror into the foe, who can never confront their strange and almost infernal appearance. View quote
Tacitus
For I deem it to be the chief function of history to rescue merit from oblivion, and to hold up before evil words and evil deeds the terror of the reprobation of posterity. View quote
Tacitus
All this is unauthenticated, and I shall leave it open. View quote
Tacitus
The more numerous the laws, the more corrupt the government. View quote
Tacitus
To every man posterity gives his due honour. View quote
Tacitus
No doubt, there was peace after all this, but it was a peace stained with blood. View quote
Tacitus
Some might consider him as too fond of fame; for the desire for glory clings even to the best men longer than any other passion. View quote
Tacitus
He possessed a peculiar talent of producing effect in whatever he said or did. (Tacitus)
On the whole, one would say that their strength is in their infantry, which fights along with the cavalry; admirably adapted to the action of the latter is the swiftness of certain foot soldiers, who are picked from the entire youth of their country, and stationed in front of the line. View quote
Tacitus
He had talents equal to business, and aspired no higher. View quote
Tacitus
Dwelling on one side of the Chauci and Chatti, the Cherusci long cherished, unassailed, an excessive and enervating love of peace. This was more pleasant than safe, for to be peaceful is self-deception among lawless and powerful neighbours. Where the strong hand decides, moderation and justice are terms applied only to the more powerful; and so the Cherusci, ever reputed good and just, are now called cowards and fools, while in the case of the victorious Chatti success has been identified with prudence. The downfall of the Cherusci brought with it also that of the Fosi, a neighbouring tribe, which shared equally in their disasters, though they had been inferior to them in prosperous days. View quote
Tacitus
Indeed, when a ruler once becomes unpopular, all his acts, be they good or bad, tell against him. View quote
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Mercury is the deity whom they chiefly worship, and on certain days they deem it right to sacrifice to him even with human victims. View quote
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He upbraided Macro, in no obscure and indirect terms, "with forsaking the setting sun and turning to the rising." View quote
Tacitus
He had not even adopted Tiberius as his successor out of affection or any regard to the State, but, having thoroughly seen his arrogant and savage temper, he had sought glory for himself by a contrast of extreme wickedness. View quote
Tacitus
The busts of twenty most illustrious families were borne in the procession, with the names of Manlius, Quinctius, and others of equal rank. But Cassius and Brutus outshone them all, from the very fact that their likenesses were not to be seen. View quote
Tacitus
Things forbidden have a secret charm. View quote
Tacitus
When men are full of envy they disparage everything, whether it be good or bad. (Tacitus)
A shocking crime was committed on the unscrupulous initiative of few individuals, with the blessing of more, and amid the passive acquiescence of all. View quote
Tacitus
Valor is of no service, chance rules all, and the bravest often fall by the hands of cowards. View quote
Tacitus
Old things are always in good repute, present things in disfavor. View quote
Tacitus
When a woman has lost her chastity she will shrink from nothing. View quote
Tacitus