Quotes by Sallust

“In my opinion, he only may be truly said to live and enjoy his being who is engaged in some laudable pursuit, and acquires a name by some illustrious action, or useful art.”

“Things done well and with a care, exempt themselves from fear.”

“God bestows upon one man genius without patience and upon another man patience without genius. The relative achievements of the two are often surprising.”

“The only correct actions are those that demand no explanation and no apology.”

“We shall never achieve harmony with land, any more than we shall achieve absolute justice or liberty for people. In these higher aspirations, the important thing is not to achieve but to strive.”

“Man can acquire accomplishments or he can become an animal, whichever he wants. God makes the animals, man makes himself.”

“Harmony makes small things grow, lack of it makes great things decay.”

“The golden age is before us, not behind us.”

“Every man is the architect of his own fortune.”

“Ambition breaks the ties of blood, and forgets the obligations of gratitude.”

“Neither soldiers nor money can defend a king but only friends won by good deeds, merit, and honesty.”

“It is the nature of ambition to make men liars and cheats, to hide the truth in their breasts, and show, like jugglers, another thing in their mouths, to cut all friendships and enmities to the measure of their own interest, and to make a good countenance without the help of good will.”

“To like and dislike the same things, that is indeed true friendship”

“No mortal man has ever served at the same time his passions and his best interests.”

“Necessity makes even the timid brave.”

“Just to stir things up seemed a great reward in itself.”

No mortal man has ever served at the same time his passions and his best interests.

Namque pauci libertatem, pars magna iustos dominos volunt.(Few men desire freedom, the greater part desire just masters.)

Only a few prefer liberty- the majority seek nothing more than fair masters.

Harmony makes small things grow. Lack of it makes big things decay.