Things are not to be judged good or bad merely because the public think so. Tacitus More Quotes by Tacitus More Quotes From Tacitus A desire to resist oppression is implanted in the nature of man. Tacitus oppressiondesiremen An honorable death is better than a dishonorable life. Tacitus honorable-deathhonorabledeath They have plundered the world, stripping naked the land in their hunger… they are driven by greed, if their enemy be rich; by ambition, if poor… They ravage, they slaughter, they seize by false pretenses, and all of this they hail as the construction of empire. And when in their wake nothing remains but a desert, they call that peace. Tacitus greedlandambition Custom adapts itself to expediency. Tacitus expediencycustomshabit Such being the happiness of the times, that you may think as you wish, and speak as you think. Tacitus freedomwishthinking We extol ancient things, regardless of our own times. Tacitus ancientage Neglected, calumny soon expires, show that you are hurt, and you give it the appearance of truth. Tacitus calumny-ishurtgiving To show resentment at a reproach is to acknowledge that one may have deserved it. Tacitus resentmentshowsmay Christianity is a pestilent superstition. Tacitus superstitionsreligiousreligion Viewed from a distance, everything is beautiful. Tacitus motivationalbeautifulinspirational Benefits received are a delight to us as long as we think we can requite them; when that possibility is far exceeded, they are repaid with hatred instead of gratitude. Tacitus gratitudelongthinking Cruelty is fed, not weakened, by tears. Tacitus politicstearscompassion The customs of the Jews are base and abominable and owe their persistence to their depravity. Jews are extremely loyal to one another, always ready to show compassion, but towards every other people they feel only hate and enimity. As a race (the Jews are not a race, because they have mingled with the other races to the point that they are only a people, not a race), they are prone to lust; among themselves nothing is unlawful. Tacitus persistencehatecompassion Power acquired by guilt was never used for a good purpose. Tacitus guiltpurposepower The unknown always passes for the marvellous. Tacitus marvellous Rumor is not always wrong Tacitus rumoralways-wrong People flatter us because they can depend upon our credulity. Tacitus dependsflatterypeople Reason and calm judgment, the qualities specially belonging to a leader. Tacitus qualityleadermilitary Fear is not in the habit of speaking truth; when perfect sincerity is expected, perfect freedom must be allowed; nor has anyone who is apt to be angry when he hears the truth any cause to wonder that he does not hear it. Tacitus fearperfectdoe There was more courage in bearing trouble than in escaping from it; the brave and the energetic cling to hope, even in spite of fortune; the cowardly and the indolent are hurried by their fears,' said Plotius Firmus, Roman Praetorian Guard. Tacitus escapingtroublebrave
