Distinguished ancestors shed a powerful light on their descendants, and forbid the concealment either of their merits or of their demerits. Sallust More Quotes by Sallust More Quotes From Sallust Harmony makes small things grow; lack of it makes great things decay. Sallust balance-and-harmony decay inspirational Small communities grow great through harmony, great ones fall to pieces through discord. Sallust society community fall He that will be angry for anything will be angry for nothing. Sallust angry hate hatred 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. Sallust liars friendship cheating One can ever assume to be what he is not, and to conceal what he is. Sallust assuming It is always easy to begin a war, but very difficult to stop one. Sallust difficult easy war Deliberate before you begin; but, having carefully done so, execute with vigour. Sallust deliberate done It is better to use fair means and fail, than foul and conquer. Sallust failing use mean Fame is the shadow of passion standing in the light Sallust passion shadow light All persons who are enthusiastic that they should transcend the other animals ought to strive with the utmost effort not to pass through a life of silence, like cattle, which nature has fashioned to be prone and obedient to their stomachs. Sallust effort silence animal Few men desire liberty; most men wish only for a just master. Sallust political wish men While the body is young and fine, the soul blunders, but as the body grows old it attains its highest power. Again, every good soul uses mind; but no body can produce mind: for how should that which is without mind produce mind? Again, while the soul uses the body as an instrument, it is not in it; just as the engineer is not in his engines (although many engines move without being touched by any one). Sallust soul mind moving No grief reaches the dead. Sallust grief All those who offer an opinion on any doubtful point should first clear their minds of every sentiment of dislike, friendship, anger or pity. Sallust anger mind firsts They envy the distinction I have won; let them therefore, envy my toils, my honesty, and the methods by which I gained it. Sallust envy honesty inspirational The poorest of men are the most useful to those seeking power. Sallust politics wisdom men Prosperity tries the souls even of the wise. Sallust soul wise trying It is always easy enough to take up arms, but very difficult to lay them down; the commencement and the termination of war are notnecessarily in the same hands; even a coward may begin, but the end comes only when the victors are willing. Sallust may war hands It is not only spirits who punish the evil, the soul brings itself to judgment: and also it is not right for those who endure for ever to attain everything in a short time: and also, there is need of human virtue. If punishment followed instantly upon sin, men would act justly from fear and have no virtue. Sallust soul evil men No mortal man has ever served at the same time his passions and his best interests. Sallust passion demise men
