Lust of power is the most flagrant of all the passions. Tacitus More Quotes by Tacitus More Quotes From Tacitus The solitude lends much appeal, because a sea without a harbour surrounds it. Even a modest boat can find few anchorage, and nobody can go ashore unnoticed by the guards. Its winter is mild because it is enclosed by a range of mountains which keeps out the fierce temperature; its summer is unequal. The open sea is very pleasant and it has a view of a beautiful bay. Tacitus summer latin beautiful Miseram pacem vel bello bene mutari. Even war is preferable to a shameful peace. Tacitus shameful war Rulers always hate and suspect the next in succession. Tacitus next hate power War will of itself discover and lay open the hidden and rankling wounds of the victorious party. Tacitus conquest party war It is a characteristic of the human mind to hate the man one has injured. Tacitus hate mind men [The Jews have] an attitude of hostility and hatred towards all others. Tacitus jew hatred attitude What is today supported by precedents will hereafter become a precedent. Tacitus hereafter precedent today Even the bravest men are frightened by sudden terrors. Tacitus fear feelings men The love of dominion is the most engrossing passion. Tacitus passion dominion The desire for glory clings even to the best men longer than any other passion. Tacitus passion desire men Yet the age was not so utterly destitute of virtues but that it produced some good examples. Tacitus virtue example age You might believe a good man easily, a great man with pleasure. -Bonum virum facile crederes, magnum libenter Tacitus good-man men believe The principal office of history I take to be this: to prevent virtuous actions from being forgotten, and that evil words and deeds should fear an infamous reputation with posterity. Tacitus office deeds evil Liberty is given by nature even to mute animals. Tacitus freedom nature animal The love of fame is a love that even the wisest of men are reluctant to forgo. Tacitus reluctant fame men When men of talents are punished, authority is strengthened. Tacitus punishment talent men Forethought and prudence are the proper qualities of a leader. Tacitus ratios quality leader The images of twenty of the most illustrious families the Manlii, the Quinctii, and other names of equal splendour were carried before it [the bier of Junia]. Those of Brutus and Cassius were not displayed; but for that very reason they shone with pre-eminent lustre. Tacitus cassius twenties names It was rather a cessation of war than a beginning of peace. Tacitus war peace Tacitus has written an entire work on the manners of the Germans. This work is short, but it comes from the pen of Tacitus, who was always concise, because he saw everything at a glance. Tacitus glances saws manners