18 Quotes By Tacitus


Be assured those will be thy worst enemies, not to whom thou hast done evil, but who have done evil to thee. And those will be thy best friends, not to whom thou hast done good, but who have done good to thee.
Tacitus on best

Reason and judgment are the qualities of a leader.
Tacitus on business

Fear is not in the habit of speaking truth when perfect sincerity is expected, perfect freedom must be allowed nor has anyone who is apt to be angry when he hears the truth any cause to wonder that he does not hear it.
Tacitus on fear

Fear is not in the habit of speaking truth when perfect sincerity is expected, perfect freedom must be allowed nor has anyone who is apt to be angry when he hears the truth any cause to wonder that he does not hear it.
Tacitus on freedom

The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.
Tacitus on great

Be assured those will be thy worst enemies, not to whom thou hast done evil, but who have done evil to thee. And those will be thy best friends, not to whom thou hast done good, but who have done good to thee.
Tacitus on history

A desire to resist oppression is implanted in the nature of man.
Tacitus on nature

To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire and where they make a wilderness, they call it peace.
Tacitus on peace

A bad peace is even worse than war.
Tacitus on peace

Fear is not in the habit of speaking truth when perfect sincerity is expected, perfect freedom must be allowed nor has anyone who is apt to be angry when he hears the truth any cause to wonder that he does not hear it.
Tacitus on truth

Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay falsehood by haste and uncertainty.
Tacitus on truth

A bad peace is even worse than war.
Tacitus on war

Old things are always in good repute, present things in disfavor.
Tacitus on age

Victor and vanquished never unite in substantial agreement.
Tacitus on conquer

When men are full of envy they disparage everything, whether it be good or bad.
Tacitus on envy

Self-interest is the enemy of all true affection.
Tacitus on selfishness

Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay; falsehood by haste and uncertainty.
Tacitus on truth

A bad peace is even worse than war.
Tacitus on war