Tacitus quotes are thought-provoking, memorable and inspiring. From views on society and politics to thoughts on love and life, Tacitus has a lot to say. In this list we present the 30 best Tacitus quotes, in no particular order. Let yourself get inspired!
(And check out our page with Tacitus quotes per category if you only want to read quotes from a certain category, such as funny, life, love, politics, and more).
Tacitus quotes
So obscure are the greatest events, as some take for granted any hearsay, whatever its source, others turn truth into falsehood, and both errors find encouragement with posterity.
— Tacitus, The Annals of Imperial Rome
A bad peace is worse than war.
— Tacitus
Crime, once exposed, has no refuge but in audacity.
— Tacitus, Annals
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, The Agricola and The Germania
Great empires are not maintained by timidity.
— Tacitus
Viewed from a distance, everything is beautiful.
— Tacitus
The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.
— Tacitus, The Annals of Imperial Rome
To show resentment at a reproach is to acknowledge that one may have deserved it.
— Tacitus
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.
— Tacitus
If you would know who controls you see who you may not criticise.
— Tacitus
Greater things are believed of those who are absent.
— Tacitus
Style like the human body is specially beautiful when the veins are not prominent and the bones cannot be counted.
— Tacitus
The more corrupt the state the more laws.
— Tacitus
Reason and judgment are the qualities of a leader.
— Tacitus
Where they make a desert they call it peace.
— Tacitus
Lust of power is the most flagrant of all the passions.
— Tacitus
The worst hatred is that of relatives.
— Tacitus
Candour and generosity unless tempered by due moderation lead to ruin.
— Tacitus
Things forbidden have a secret charm.
— Tacitus
A bad peace is even worse than war.
— Tacitus
A desire to resist oppression is implanted in the nature of man.
— Tacitus
It is human nature to hate the man whom you have hurt.
— Tacitus
It belongs to human nature to hate those you have injured.
— Tacitus
Old things are always in good repute, present things in disfavor.
— Tacitus
Be assured those will be thy worst enemies, not to whom thou hast done evil, but who have done evil to thee. And those will be thy best friends, not to whom thou hast done good, but who have done good to thee.
— Tacitus
Those in supreme power always suspect and hate their next heir.
— Tacitus
Valor is of no service, chance rules all, and the bravest often fall by the hands of cowards.
— Tacitus
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
Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay falsehood by haste and uncertainty.
— Tacitus
To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire; and where they make a wilderness, they call it peace.
— Tacitus
When men are full of envy they disparage everything, whether it be good or bad.
— Tacitus
English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish