Wisdom of Tacitus

Tacitus (c. 56 – c.
118 AD), was a Roman historian and politician, known for his critical and insightful accounts of the Roman Empire. His major works, The Histories and The Annals, provide a detailed history of the Roman Empire from the reign of Tiberius to that of Domitian. Tacitus also wrote Agricola, a biography of his father-in-law Gnaeus Julius Agricola, and Germania, an ethnographic study of the Germanic tribes. His writings are valued for their depth, style, and historical accuracy, offering a critical perspective on the Roman Empire’s politics and society. Tacitus held various public offices, including quaestor, praetor, and consul, and was known for his sharp critique of imperial excesses while remaining loyal to Rome.

The historia
Edward Gibbon praised Tacitus, saying, “The writings of Tacitus have been justly esteemed as the first of historical compositions, both for elegance of style and fidelity of narration.”

Below, we list some words of wisdom from Tacitus, drawn from his historical works.

“Fear is not in the habit of speaking truth.”

“Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay; falsehood by haste and uncertainty.”

“To show resentment at a reproach is to acknowledge that one may have deserved it.”

“Viewed from a distance, everything is beautiful.”

“Fortune assists the bold.”

“The first thing which disappears in times of general corruption is a sense of shame.”

“The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.”

“Men are more ready to repay an injury than a benefit, because gratitude is a burden and revenge a pleasure.”

“If you would know who controls you, see who you may not criticize.”

“They make a desolation and call it peace.”

“Crime, once exposed, has no refuge but in audacity.”

“The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.”

“A bad peace is even worse than war.”

“The worst crimes were dared by a few, willed by more, and tolerated by all.”

“He could bear the loss of his money, but not of his good name.”

“The love of fame is the last thing even the wise give up.”

“Rumor is not always wrong.”

“It is human nature to hate the man whom you have hurt.”

“The lust for power is the most flagrant of all passions.”

“The worst disease of the mind leaves no feeling of hunger at all.”

“To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire; and where they make a wilde
ess, they call it peace.”

“The gods are on the side of the stronger.”

“It is a law of nature that men should be slaves to those who are stronger than themselves.”

“The most detestable wickedness is to use a feigned piety as a cloak of mischief.”

“The hatred of those left behind is engraved upon the earth.”

“It is the rare fortune of some men to be, when they want it, as eloquent as they will.”

“A good man would prefer to be defeated than to defeat injustice by evil means.”

“The face of the world has changed; it no longer knows the Romans.”

“Things forbidden have a secret charm.”

“This I regard as history’s highest function, to let no worthy action be uncommemorated, and to hold out the reprobation of posterity as a terror to evil words and deeds.”

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