Quotes from Tacitus

In the struggle between those seeking power there is no middle course.

By general consent, he would have been capable of ruling, had he not ruled.

The lust for power, for dominating others, inflames the heart more than any other passion.

Power won by crime no one ever yet turned to a good purpose.

Great empires are not maintained by timidity.

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

Yet the age was not so utterly destitute of virtues but that it produced some good examples. [Lat., Non tamen adeo virtutum sterile seculum, ut non et bona exempla prodiderit.]

You might believe a good man easily, a great man with pleasure. -Bonum virum facile crederes, magnum libenter

The injustice of a government is proportional to the number of its laws.

Such being the happiness of the times, that you may think as you wish, and speak as you think.

No one would have doubted his ability to reign had he never been emperor.

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.

In valor there is hope.

A shocking crime was committed on the unscrupulous initiative of few individuals, with the blessing of more, and amid the passive acquiescence of all.

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

Power acquired by guilt was never used for a good purpose. [Lat., Imperium flagitio acquisitum nemo unquam bonis artibus exercuit.]

Lust of power is the most flagrant of all the passions.

Power is more safely retained by cautious than by severe councils. [Lat., Potentiam cautis quam acribus consiliis tutius haberi.]

Legions and fleets are not such sure bulwarks of imperial power as a numerous family

There can never be a complete confidence in a power which is excessive.

Kindness, so far as we can return it, is agreeable.

Christianity is a pestilent superstition.

Reason and judgment are the qualities of a leader.

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