Quotes from Livy

Resistance to criminal rashness comes better late than never.

Present sufferings seem far greater to men than those they merely dread.

Good fortune and a good disposition are rarely given to the same man.

It is better that a guilty man should not be brought to trial than that he should be acquitted.

Fortune blinds men when she does not wish them to withstand the violence of her onslaughts.

By flying, men often rush into the midst of calamities.

Nothing hurts worse than the loss of money.

We feel public misfortunes just so far as they affect our private circumstances, and nothing of this nature appeals more directly to us than the loss of money.

Nature has ordained that the man who is pleading his own cause before a large audience, will be more readily listened to than he who has no object in view other than the public benefit.

Such is the nature of crowds: either they are humble and servile or arrogant and dominating. They are incapable of making moderate use of freedom, which is the middle course, or of keeping it.

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

Toil and pleasure, dissimilar in nature, are nevertheless united by a certain natural bond.

Many things complicated by nature are restored by reason.

Better and safer is an assured peace than a victory hoped for. The one is in your own power, the other is in the hands of the gods.

Once let good faith be abandoned, and all social existence would perish.

When Tarquin the Proud was asked what was the best mode of governing a conquered city, he replied only by beating down with his staff all the tallest poppies in his garden.

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

The study of History is the best medicine for a sick mind.

An honor prudently declined often returns with increased luster.

Favor and honor sometimes fall more fitly on those who do not desire them.

Wit is the flower of the imagination.

Envy is blind, and she has no other quality than that of detracting from virtue

Envy like fire always makes for the highest points.

No law can possibly meet the convenience of every one: we must be satisfied if it be beneficial on the whole and to the majority.