Quotes from Sallust

To rule our country or subjects by force, though we may have the ability, and may correct what is wrong, is yet an ungrateful undertaking; especially as all changes in the state lead to bloodshed, exile, and other evils of discord; while to struggle in ineffectual attempts, and to gain nothing, by wearisome exertions, but public hatred, is the extreme of madness; unless when a base and pernicious spirit, perchance, may prompt a man to sacrifice his honor and liberty to the power of a party.

imitari quam invidere bonis malebant.

quoniam egestas facile habetur sine damno.

omnia mala exempla ex rebus bonis orta sunt.

Catiline:) For since the government has fallen under the power and jurisdiction of a few, kings and princes have constantly been their tributaries; nations and states have paid them taxes; but all the rest of us, however brave and worthy, whether noble or plebeian, have been regarded as a mere mob, without interest or authority, and subject to those, to whom, if the state were in a sound condition, we should be a terror.

He was indeed, what is peculiarly difficult, both brave in action, and wise in counsel; qualities, of which the one, from forethought, generally produces fear, and the other, from confidence, rashness.

A]nything might be purchased at Rome.

magis quid se dignum foret, quam quid in illos iure fieri posset, quaerebant.

ubi intenderis ingenium valet; si libido possidet, ea dominatur, animus nihil valet.

Metellus, who, by his exertions, had triumphed over every obstacle, over arms, deserts, seasons, and finally over Nature herself that controls all, nothing was impossible [...]

Before you act consider; when you have considered, tis fully time to act.

Ambition drove many men to become false; to have one thought locked in the breast, another ready on the tongue.

Most honorable are services rendered to the State; even if they do not go beyond words, they are not to be despised.

As the blessings of health and fortune have a beginning, so they must also find an end. Everything rises but to fall, and increases but to decay.

Distinguished ancestors shed a powerful light on their descendants, and forbid the concealment either of their merits or of their demerits.

We employ the mind to rule, the body to serve.

In victory even the cowardly like to boast, while in adverse times even the brave are discredited.

Get good counsel before you begin; and when you have decided, act promptly.

It is always easy to begin a war, but very difficult to stop one.

Necessity makes even the timid brave.

By union the smallest states thrive, by discord the greatest are destroyed.

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

The poorest of men are the most useful to those seeking power.

A good man prefers to suffer rather than overcome injustice with evil.