Livy quotes - page 3

Nature has ordained that the man who is pleading his own cause before a large audience, will be more readily listened to than he who has no object in view other than the public benefit. (Livy)
You know how to vanquish, Hannibal, but you do not know how to profit from victory. View quote
Livy
No law is sufficiently convenient to all. View quote
Livy
Many things complicated by nature are restored by reason. View quote
Livy
The name of freedom regained is sweet to hear. View quote
Livy
There is an old saying which, from its truth, has become proverbial, that friendships should be immortal, enmities mortal. View quote
Livy
It is when fortune is the most propitious that she is least to be trusted. View quote
Livy
Many difficulties which nature throws in our way, may be smoothed away by the exercise of intelligence. View quote
Livy
He is truly a man who will not permit himself to be unduly elated when fortune's breeze is favorable, or cast down when it is adverse. View quote
Livy
I shall find antiquity a rewarding study, if only because, while I am absorbed in it, I shall be able to turn my eyes from the troubles which for so long have tormented the modern world. View quote
Livy
Before anything else [Numa] decided that he must instill in his subjects the fear of the gods, this being the most effective measure with an ignorant, and at that time uncultured, people. (Livy)
Are you going to offer yourselves here to the weapons of the enemy, undefended, unavenged? Why is it then you have arms? And why have you undertaken an offensive war? You who are ever turbulent in peace, and laggard in war. What hopes have you in standing here? Do you expect that some god will protect you and bear you hence? A way is to be made with the sword. Come you, who wish to behold your homes, your parents, your wives, and your children; follow me in the way in which you shall see me lead you on. It is not a wall or rampart that blocks your path, but armed men like yourselves. Their equals in courage, you are their superiors by force of necessity, which is the last and greatest weapon. View quote
Livy
He was always before men's eyes; a course of action which, by increasing our familiarity with great men, diminishes our respect for them. View quote
Livy
The study of history is the best medicine for a sick mind; for in history you have a record of the infinite variety of human experience plainly set out for all to see; and in that record you can find for yourself and your country both examples and warnings; fine things to take as models, base things, rotten through and through, to avoid. View quote
Livy
For he considered that, in many cases, but especially in war, mere appearances have had all the effect of realities; and that a person, under a firm persuasion that he can command resources, virtually has them; that very prospect inspiring him with hope and boldness in his exertions. View quote
Livy
The state is suffering from two opposite vices, avarice and luxury; two plagues which, in the past, have been the ruin of every great empire. View quote
Livy
He would not anticipate those counsels which are rather bestowed by circumstances on men, than by men on circumstances. View quote
Livy
We do not learn this only from the event, which is the master of fools. View quote
Livy
Such impetuous schemes and boldness are at first sight alluring, but are difficult to handle, and in the result disastrous. View quote
Livy
They lived under a just and moderate government, and they admitted that one bond of their fidelity was that their rulers were the better men. View quote
Livy
Resistance to criminal rashness comes better late than never. (Livy)
The Aitolians, the Akarnanians, the Macedonians, men of the same speech, are united or disunited by trivial causes that arise from time to time; with aliens, with barbarians, all Greeks wage and will wage eternal war; for they are enemies by the will of nature, which is eternal, and not from reasons that change from day to day... View quote
Livy
The more common report is that Remus mockingly jumped over the newly raised walls and was forthwith killed by the enraged Romulus, who exclaimed, "So shall it be henceforth with every one who leaps over my walls." View quote
Livy
Treachery, though at first very cautious, in the end betrays itself. View quote
Livy
Necessity is the last and strongest weapon. View quote
Livy