Quotes by Livy

Fear looks always on the darker side...

...we can endure neither our vices nor the remedies needed to cure them.

Now I would solicit the particular attention of those numerous people who imagine that money is everything in this world, and that rank and ability are inseparable from wealth: let them observe that Cincinnatus, the one man in whom Rome reposed all her hope of survival, was at that moment working a little three-acre farm (now known as Quinctian meadows) west of the Tiber, just opposite the spot where the shipyards are today. A mission from the city found him at work on his land - digging a ditch, maybe, or ploughing. Greetings were exchanged, and he was asked - with a prayer for Gods blessing on himself and his country - to put on his toga and hear the Senates instructions. This naturally surprised him, and, asking if all were well, he told his wife Racilia to run to their cottage and fetch his toga. The toga was brought, and wiping the grimy sweat from his hands and face he put it on; at once the envoys from the city saluted him, with congratulations, as Dictator, invited him to enter Rome, and informed him of the terrible danger of Minuciuss army.

The political reputation of Servius rests upon his organization of society according to a fixed scale of rank and fortune. He originated the census, a measure of the highest utility to a state destined, as Rome was, to future preeminence; for by means of its public service, in peace as well as in war, could thence forward be regularly organized on the basis of property; every mans contribution could be in proportion to his means.

Believing, as they now did, that the heavenly powers took part in human affairs, they became so much absorbed in the cultivation of religion and so deeply imbued with the sense of their religious duties, that the sanctity of an oath had more power to control their lives than the fear of punishment for lawbreaking.

At last he was to feel that he had the town, as it were, in his pocket, and was ready for anything. Accordingly he sent a confidential messenger to Rome, to ask his father what step he should next take, his power in Gabii being, by Gods grace, by this time absolute. Tarquin, I suppose, was not sure of the messengers good faith: in any case, he said not a word in reply to his question, but with a thoughtful air went out to the garden. The man followed him, and Tarquin, strolling up and down in silence, began knocking off poppy-heads with his stick. The messenger at last wearied of putting his question and waiting for the reply, so he returned to Gabii supposing his mission to have failed. He told Sextus what he had said and what he had seen his father do: the king, he declared, whether from anger, or hatred, or natural arrogance, had not uttered a single word. Sextus realized that though his father had not spoken, he had, by his action, indirectly expressed his meaning clearly enough; so he proceeded at once to act upon his murderous instructions.

In difficult situations when hope seems feeble the boldest plans are safest.

Men are seldom blessed with good fortune and good sense at the same time.

A gentleman is mindful no less of the freedom of others than of his own dignity.

Events of great consequence often spring from trifling circumstances.

Better late than never.

Treachery though at first very cautious in the end betrays itself.

We survive on adversity and perish in ease and comfort.

Many difficulties which nature throws in our way, may be smoothed away by the exercise of intelligence.

This above all makes history useful and desirable it unfolds before our eyes a glorious record of exemplary actions.

Truth, they say, is but too often in difficulties, but is never finally suppressed.

The old Romans all wished to have a king over them because they had not yet tasted the sweetness of freedom.