Quotes by Tacitus

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

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

It belongs to human nature to hate those you have injured.

Old things are always in good repute, present things in disfavor.

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.

Those in supreme power always suspect and hate their next heir.

Valor is of no service, chance rules all, and the bravest often fall by the hands of cowards.

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.

Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay falsehood by haste and uncertainty.

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

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

“So obscure are the greatest events, as some take for granted any hearsay, whatever its source, others turn truth into falsehood, and both errors find encouragement with posterity.”