100+ Tacitus Quotes | InspiringQuotes.us

source: - Cornelius Tacitus, Tacitus, Francis Richard David Goodyear, A. J. Woodman, R. H. Martin (2004). “The Annals of Tacitus:”, p.255, Cambridge University Press

Topics: Political

Viewed from a distance, everything is beautiful.

Topics: Inspirational, Motivational, Beautiful

Crime, once exposed, has no refuge but in audacity.

Topics: Political, Audacity, Politics

The Romans brought devestation, but they called it peace.

The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.

source: - "Annals". Book by Tacitus, Book XV, 50,

Topics: Courage, Determination, Work, Safety And Security

One who is allowed to sin, sins less

Topics: Sin

None make a greater show of sorrow than those who are most delighted.

Topics: Sorrow, Shows, Greater

Christianity is a pestilent superstition.

Topics: Religious, Religion, Superstitions

Power won by crime no one ever yet turned to a good purpose.

Topics: Purpose, Crime

The most seditious is the most cowardly.

source: - "Annales". Book by Tacitus, IV. 34, AD 117.

Topics: Revolution, Cowardly

The injustice of a government is proportional to the number of its laws.

Topics: Government, Law, Numbers

[The Jews have] an attitude of hostility and hatred towards all others.

Topics: Attitude, Hatred, Jew

Fear is not in the habit of speaking truth.

Topics: Fear, Truth, Sincerity, Truth Hurts, I Speak The Truth

An honorable death is better than a dishonorable life. [Lat., Honesta mors turpi vita potior.]

Topics: Death, Honorable Death, Honorable, Dishonorable

Following Emporer Nero's command, "Let the Christians be exterminated!:" . . . they [the Christians] were made the subjects of sport; they were covered with the hides of wild beasts and worried to death by dogs, or nailed to crosses or set fire to, and when the day waned, burned to serve for the evening lights.

Topics: Christian, Sports, Dog, Wild Beasts, Nero

It is the rare fortune of these days that one may think what one likes and say what one thinks.

source: - "Histories". Book by Tacitus, Book I, 1,

Topics: Thinking, May, Likes

Traitors are hated even by those whom they prefer.

Topics: Traitor, Hated

He that fights and runs away, May turn and fight another day; But he that is in battle slain, Will never rise to fight again.

Topics: Running, Fighting, Battle, Tomorrow Is Another Day

A shocking crime was committed on the unscrupulous initiative of few individuals, with the blessing of more, and amid the passive acquiescence of all.

source: - Cornelius Tacitus (1964). “The histories”

Topics: Inspirational, Blessing, Reality, Assassination

Candor and generosity, unless tempered by due moderation, leads to ruin.

source: - "Quote Junkie: Greek and Roman : An Interesting Collection of Quotes from the Greatest Greek and Roman Philosophers and Leaders". Book edited by the Hagopian Institute, p. 62, 2008.

Topics: Generosity, Ruins, Moderation, Candor

All bodies are slow in growth but rapid in decay.

Topics: Growth, Decay, Body

To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire; and where they make a wilderness, they call it peace.

Topics: Peace, War, Empires, Plunder

Posterity will pay everyone their due.

Topics: Time, Past, Pay

Cruelty is fed, not weakened, by tears.

Topics: Compassion, Tears, Politics

Many who seem to be struggling with adversity are happy; many, amid great affluence, are utterly miserable.

source: - Tacitus (2016). “Strategy Six Pack 4”, p.357, Enhanced Media Publishing

Topics: Struggle, Adversity, Affluence, Adversity And Character

They terrify lest they should fear.

Topics: Should

The word liberty has been falsely used by persons who, being degenerately profligate in private life, and mischievous in public, had no hope left but in fomenting discord.

Topics: Liberty, Used, No Hope

By punishing men of talent we confirm their authority.

Topics: Men, Talent, Authority

Abuse if you slight it, will gradually die away; but if you show yourself irritated, you will be thought to have deserved it.

Topics: Abuse, Criticism, Irritated, Emotional Abuse

People flatter us because they can depend upon our credulity.

Topics: People, Flattery, Depends

Necessity reforms the poor, and satiety reforms the rich.

Topics: Reform, Rich, Poor, Satiety

Once killing starts, it is difficult to draw the line.

source: - "Histories". Book by Tacitus. Book I, 39,

Topics: Lines, Killing, Difficult

So as you go into battle, remember your ancestors and remember your descendants.

source: - "Agricola". Book by Tacitus, transl. by G. J. Acheson, chapter 4, paragraph 22, final sentence, p. 72, 1938.

Topics: Memorial Day, Peace, War

A man in power, once becoming obnoxious, his acts, good or bad, will work out his ruin.

Topics: Men, Work Out, Ruins

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.

Topics: Best Friend, Worst Enemy, History

In the struggle between those seeking power there is no middle course.

source: - "Annales". Book by Tacitus, II. 74,

Topics: Struggle, Power, Politics

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.

source: - Tacitus (2007). “The Annals & The Histories”, p.132, Modern Library

Topics: Gratitude, Thinking, Long

The hatred of relatives is the most violent.

source: - "Annales". Book by Tacitus, IV. 70,

Topics: Family, Hatred, Society

Flatterers are the worst kind of enemies. [Lat., Pessimum genus inimicorum laudantes.]

Topics: Enemy, Flattery, Kind

A cowardly populace which will dare nothing beyond talk. [Lat., Vulgus ignavum et nihil ultra verba ausurum.]

Topics: Ultras, Dare, Cowardly

The brave and bold persist even against fortune; the timid and cowardly rush to despair though fear alone.

Topics: Courage, Fear, Bravery, Forte

Even the bravest men are frightened by sudden terrors.

source: - "Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations" by Jehiel Keeler Hoyt, p. 267-70, Annales, XV. 59, 1922.

Topics: Fear, Men, Feelings

Deos fortioribus adesse. The gods support those who are stronger.

source: - Histories, bk.4, ch.17.

Topics: Support, Stronger

More faults are often committed while we are trying to oblige than while we are giving offense.

source: - Tacitus (2007). “The Annals & The Histories”, p.317, Modern Library

Topics: Giving, Trying, Faults

The wicked find it easier to coalesce for seditious purposes than for concord in peace.

Topics: Wicked, Purpose, Easier

I am my nearest neighbour.

Topics: Neighbour

The lust of fame is the last that a wise man shakes off.

Topics: Wise, Men, Lust

Rumor is not always wrong

Topics: Rumor, Always Wrong

Valor is of no service, chance rules all, and the bravest often fall by the hands of cowards.

Topics: Fall, Hands, Coward

Every recreant who proved his timidity in the hour of danger, was afterwards boldest in words and tongue.

source: - "Annales". Book by Tacitus, IV. 62, AD 117.

Topics: Tongue, Hours, Danger

Experience teaches. [Lat., Experientia docet.]

Topics: Experience, Teach

It is a part of the nature of man to resist compulsion.

Topics: Men, Compulsion, Nature Of Man

The unknown always passes for the marvellous.

source: - Tacitus (2016). “Agricola: De vita et moribus Iulii Agricolae- English-Latin Edition”, p.64, M&J

Topics: Marvellous

Such being the happiness of the times, that you may think as you wish, and speak as you think.

source: - "Annales", I. 1 in "Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations" by Jehiel Keeler Hoyt, (pp. 294-296), 1922.

Topics: Freedom, Thinking, Wish

Who the first inhabitants of Britain were, whether natives or immigrants, remains obscure; one must remember we are dealing with barbarians.

source: - Cornelius Tacitus, Harold Mattingly (1965). “Tacitus on Britain and Germany: a translation of the Agricola and the Germania”

Topics: Barbarians, Firsts, England

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.

source: - "Annales" (AD 117), III. 65,

Topics: Evil, Office, Deeds

In seasons of tumult and discord bad men have most power; mental and moral excellence require peace and quietness.

source: - "Annales". Book by Tacitus, IV. 1,

Topics: Men, Excellence, Moral, Peace And Quiet, Moral Excellence

It is found by experience that admirable laws and right precedents among the good have their origin in the misdeeds of others.

source: - Tacitus (2013). “The Annals”, p.368, Courier Corporation

Topics: Law, Found, Precedent, Misdeeds

In stirring up tumult and strife, the worst men can do the most, but peace and quiet cannot be established without virtue.

source: - Cornelius Tacitus (1873). “The History of Tacitus”, p.141, London : Macmillan

Topics: Men, Quiet, Virtue, Peace And Quiet, Tumult

Whatever is unknown is magnified.

Power acquired by guilt was never used for a good purpose. [Lat., Imperium flagitio acquisitum nemo unquam bonis artibus exercuit.]

Topics: Power, Guilt, Purpose, Nemo

Auctor nominis eius Christus,Tiberio imperitante, per procuratorem Pontium Pilatum, supplicio affectus erat. Christ, the leader of the sect, had been put to death by the procurator Pontius Pilate in the reign of Tiberius.

source: - Annals, bk.15, ch.44.

Topics: Leader, Reign, Christ

A woman once fallen will shrink from no impropriety.

Topics: Fallen, Shrinks

Everything unknown is magnified. [Lat., Omne ignotum pro magnifico est.]

Topics: Ignorance

Nature gives liberty even to dumb animals.

Topics: Animal, Giving, Dumb

Flattery labors under the odious charge of servility.

source: - Cornelius Tacitus (1858). “The History. Germany. Agricola. Dialogue on orators”, p.1

Topics: Flattery, Labor, Servility

It is less difficult to bear misfortunes than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure.

Topics: Bears, Pleasure, Difficult

The desire of glory is the last infirmity cast off even by the wise.

source: - Cornelius Tacitus (1873). “The History of Tacitus”, p.143, London : Macmillan

Topics: Wise, Desire, Lasts, Infirmity

No hatred is so bitter as that of near relations.

Topics: Hatred, Bitter, Relation

None grieve so ostentatiously as those who rejoice most in heart. [Lat., Nulla jactantius moerent quam qui maxime laetantur.]

Topics: Grief, Heart, Grieving

A bitter jest, when it comes too near the truth, leaves a sharp sting behind it.

source: - "Annales". XV. 68, AD 117.

Topics: Inspirational, Bitter, Jest

Custom adapts itself to expediency.

source: - Tacitus (2013). “The Annals”, p.253, Courier Corporation

Topics: Habit, Expediency, Customs

Corruptisima republica plurimae leges.

Topics: Liberty

No one in Germany laughs at vice, nor do they call it the fashion to corrupt and to be corrupted.

source: - Cornelius Tacitus (1868). “The Agricola and Germany of Tacitus”

Topics: Fashion, Laughing, Vices

Keen at the start, but careless at the end.

Topics: Ends, Careless

The lust of dominion burns with a flame so fierce as to overpower all other affections of the human breast.

Topics: Flames, Lust, Dominion

Indeed, the crowning proof of their valour and their strength is that they keep up their superiority without harm to others.

source: - Cornelius Tacitus (1868). “The Agricola and Germany of Tacitus”

Topics: Proof, Harm, Valour

Other men have acquired fame by industry, but this man by indolence.

source: - "Annales". Book by Tacitus, XVI. 18, AD 117.

Topics: Men, Fame, Indolence

Adversity deprives us of our judgment.

Topics: Adversity, Judgment

So true is it that all transactions of preeminent importance are wrapt in doubt and obscurity; while some hold for certain facts the most precarious hearsays, others turn facts into falsehood; and both are exaggerated by posterity.

source: - Cornelius Tacitus (1860). “The Works of Tacitus: The Oxford Translation, Revised. With Notes ...”, p.119

Topics: Doubt, Obscurity, Facts, Transactions, Hearsay

The task of history is to hold out for reprobation every evil word and deed, and to hold out for praise every great and noble word and deed.

Topics: Evil, Tasks, Noble

Bottling up his malice to be suppressed and brought out with increased violence.

Topics: Violence, Malice

Miseram pacem vel bello bene mutari. Even war is preferable to a shameful peace.

Topics: War, Shameful

Forethought and prudence are the proper qualities of a leader. [Lat., Ratio et consilium, propriae ducis artes.]

Topics: Leader, Quality, Ratios, Forethought, Qualities Of A Leader

Seek to make a person blush for their guilt rather than shed their blood.

Topics: Blood, Guilt, Politics

The worst hatred is that of relatives.

Topics: Hatred, Worst, Relative

He (Tiberius) was wont to mock at the arts of physicians, and at those who, after thirty years of age, needed counsel as to what was good or bad for their bodies.

source: - "Annals", Book VI, Chapter XLVI, as quoted in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations, p.502-04, 1922.

Topics: Art, Years, Medicine

Lust of power is the most flagrant of all the passions.

source: - "Annales". Book by Tacitus, XV. 53,

Topics: Passion, Justice, Lust, Lust For Power

That cannot be safe which is not honourable.

source: - Cornelius Tacitus (1873). “The History of Tacitus”, p.17, London : Macmillan

Topics: Safe

If we must fall, we should boldly meet our fate.

Topics: Military, Fall, Fate

Remedies are more tardy in their operation than diseases.

source: - "Complete Works of Tacitus".

Topics: Disease, Operations, Remedy

Victor and vanquished never unite in substantial agreement.

Topics: Winning, Agreement

Neglected, calumny soon expires, show that you are hurt, and you give it the appearance of truth.

source: - Cornelius Tacitus (1830). “Tacitus”, p.313

Topics: Hurt, Calumny Is, Giving

The gods are on the side of the stronger.

source: - Histories bk. 4, ch. 17 See Bussy-Rabutin 1; Frederick the Great 1; Turenne 1

Topics: Stronger, Sides

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.

Topics: Escaping, Brave, Trouble

When a woman has lost her chastity she will shrink from nothing.

Topics: Modesty, Lost, Chastity

We extol ancient things, regardless of our own times. [Lat., Vetera extollimus recentium incuriosi.]

Topics: Age, Ancient

There are odious virtues; such as inflexible severity, and an integrity that accepts of no favor.

Topics: Integrity, Favors, Virtue, Severity

Those in supreme power always suspect and hate their next heir.

Topics: Hate, Power, Inheritance, Supreme Power

Bodies are slow of growth, but are rapid in their dissolution. [Lat., Corpora lente augescent, cito extinguuntur.]

Topics: Change, Growth, Body

Conspicuous by his absence.

source: - F. R. D. Goodyear, Tacitus (2004). “The Annals of Tacitus: Volume 2, Annals 1.55-81 and Annals 2”, p.316, Cambridge University Press

Topics: Absence

Nothing mortal is so unstable and subject to change as power which has no foundation.

Topics: Wisdom, Foundation, Politics

To rob, to ravage, to murder, in their imposing language, are the arts of civil policy. When they have made the world a solitude, they call it peace.

source: - "Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations" by Jehiel Keeler Hoyt, p. 588-91, Agricola, XXX, 1922.

Topics: Art, Peace, Solitude

The hatred of those who are near to us is most violent.

Topics: Hate, Hatred, Violent

It is of eloquence as of a flame; it requires matter to feed it, and motion to excite it; and it brightens as it burns.

Topics: Flames, Matter, Eloquence

Power is more safely retained by cautious than by severe councils. [Lat., Potentiam cautis quam acribus consiliis tutius haberi.]

Topics: Power, Council, Cautious

Even honor and virtue make enemies, condemning, as they do, their opposites by too close a contrast.

Topics: Integrity, Opposites, Honor, Condemning

What is today supported by precedents will hereafter become a precedent.

source: - "Annals". Book by Tacitus. Book XI, 24,

Topics: Today, Precedent, Hereafter

Liberty is given by nature even to mute animals.

source: - "Annals". Book by Tacitus, IV. 17,

Topics: Nature, Freedom, Animal

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.

source: - Tacitus (2013). “The Annals”, p.112, Courier Corporation

Topics: Encouragement, Errors, Events, Hearsay

It is a principle of human nature to hate those whom we have injured.

source: - "The Germany and the Agricola of Tacitus".

Topics: Hate, Hatred, Humans

It is common, to esteem most what is most unknown.

Topics: Appreciation, Common, Esteem

The persecution of genius fosters its influence.

source: - Tacitus (2007). “The Annals & The Histories”, p.141, Modern Library

Topics: Genius, Talent, Influence

In all things there is a kind of law of cycles. [Lat., Rebus cunctis inest quidam velut orbis.]

Topics: Law, Kind, All Things

The love of fame is a love that even the wisest of men are reluctant to forgo.

Topics: Men, Fame, Reluctant

They make solitude, which they call peace.

Topics: Solitude

The Germans themselves I should regard as aboriginal, and not mixed at all with other races through immigration or intercourse. For in former times, it was not by land but on shipboard that those who sought to emigrate would arrive; and the boundless and, so to speak, hostile ocean beyond us,is seldom entered by a sail from our world.

source: - Tacitus (1851). “Germania by Tacitus”, p.2, Charles River Editors

Topics: Ocean, Our World, Race

Laws were most numerous when the commonwealth was most corrupt

source: - Tacitus (2007). “The Annals & The Histories”, p.100, Modern Library

Topics: Law, Libertarian, Commonwealth

The changeful change of circumstances. [Lat., Varia sors rerum.]

Topics: Circumstances

Perdomita Britannia et statim omissa. Britain was conquered and immediately lost.

source: - Referring to Agricola's conquest of Britain, and the loss of much of it under Domitian. Histories, bk.1, ch.2.

Topics: Lost, Britain

Reckless adventure is the fool's hazard.

Topics: Adventure, Hazards, Fool

The repose of nations cannot be secure without arms, armies cannot be maintained without pay, nor can the pay be produced without taxes

Topics: Army, Arms, Pay, Repose

It is more reverent to believe in the works of the Deity than to comprehend them.

Topics: Believe, Deities

Greater things are believed of those who are absent.

source: - "Historiae (Histories)". Book by Tacitus, circa 104-109 AD.

Topics: Belief, Absence, Absent Mindedness, Greater Things

The love of fame is the last weakness which even the wise resign.

source: - "Annales" (AD 117), IV in "Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations" by Jehiel Keeler Hoyt, (pp. 256-259), 1922.

Topics: Wise, Weakness, Lasts

All things atrocious and shameless flock from all parts to Rome.

Topics: Rome, Cities, Shameless, Cities At Night

It is not becoming to grieve immoderately for the dead.

Topics: Grieving, Becoming

The desire for glory clings even to the best men longer than any other passion.

source: - "Histories". Book by Tacitus. Book IV, 6,

Topics: Passion, Men, Desire

Benefits are acceptable, while the receiver thinks he may return them; but once exceeding that, hatred is given instead of thanks. [Lat., Beneficia usque eo laeta sunt dum videntur exsolvi posse; ubi multum antevenere pro gratia odium redditur.]

Topics: Thinking, Hatred, Benefits

Legions and fleets are not such sure bulwarks of imperial power as a numerous family

source: - "The Annals & The Histories".

Topics: Power, Legion

It is the nature of the human disposition to hate him whom you have injured.

Topics: Hate, Disposition, Humans

Rumor does not always err; it sometimes even elects a man.

source: - "Agricola", IX, as quoted in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations, p. 688, 1922.

Topics: Men, Rumor, Doe

The sciences throw an inexpressible grace over our compositions, even where they are not immediately concerned; as their effects are discernible where we least expect to find them.

source: - Cornelius Tacitus (1872). “The Works of Tacitus: The Oxford Translation, Revised. with Notes”, p.439

Topics: Science, Grace, Concerned

All ancient history was written with a moral object; the ethical interest predominates almost to the exclusion of all others.

source: - Cornelius Tacitus (1912). “Tacitus, The Histories”

Topics: Exclusion, Moral, Ancient, Ancient History

Falsehood avails itself of haste and uncertainty.

Topics: Haste, Uncertainty, Falsehood

[That form of] eloquence, the foster-child of licence, which fools call liberty. [Lat., Eloquentia, alumna licentiae, quam stulti libertatem vocabant.]

Topics: Children, Liberty, Fool, Foster Children

By general consent, he would have been capable of ruling, had he not ruled.

Topics: Political, Politics, Ruling

Secure against the designs of men, secure against the malignity of the Gods, they have accomplished a thing of infinite difficulty; that to them nothing remains even to be wished.

source: - Herodotus, Tacitus (2010). “Voyages and Travels: Ancient and Modern”, p.123, Cosimo, Inc.

Topics: Men, Design, Infinite

Rulers always hate and suspect the next in succession. [Lat., Suspectum semper invisumque dominantibus qui proximus destinaretur.]

Topics: Hate, Power, Next

Noble character is best appreciated in those ages in which it can most readily develop.

source: - Cornelius Tacitus, Harold Mattingly (1965). “Tacitus on Britain and Germany: a translation of the Agricola and the Germania”

Topics: Character, Age, Noble, Noble Character

Even for learned men, love of fame is the last thing to be given up.

Topics: Men, Lasts, Fame

Kindness, so far as we can return it, is agreeable.

Topics: Kindness, Return

The love of dominion is the most engrossing passion.

Topics: Passion, Dominion

None mourn more ostentatiously over the death of Germanicus than those who most rejoice at it [a death].

source: - "The Annals & The Histories".

Topics: Mourning, Rejoice, Mourn

Posterity allows to every man his true value and proper honours.

source: - "The Works of Cornelius Tacitus: With an Essay on His Life and Genius, Notes, Supplements".

Topics: Men, History, Giving

When men of talents are punished, authority is strengthened. [Lat., Punitis ingeniis, gliscit auctoritas.]

Topics: Men, Punishment, Talent

Old things are always in good repute, present things in disfavor.

Topics: Time, Old Things, Age

Cassius and Brutus were the more distinguished for that very circumstance that their portraits were absent. [Lat., Praefulgebant Cassius atque Brutus eo ipso, quod effigies eorum non videbantur.]

Topics: Portraits, Cassius, Brutus

Solitudinem faciunt pacem appellant. They make a wilderness and they call it peace.

source: - Speech of the British chieftain Calgacus, before the battle of Mons Graupius, referring to the Romans. Agricola, ch.30.

Topics: Peace, Wilderness

All inconsiderate enterprises are impetuous at first, but soon lanquish. [Lat., Omnia inconsulti impetus coepta, initiis valida, spatio languescunt.]

Topics: Business, Firsts, Inconsiderate, Impetuous, Impetus

All enterprises that are entered into with indiscreet zeal may be pursued with great vigor at first, but are sure to collapse in the end.

Topics: Vigor, May, Firsts

We are corrupted by good fortune. [Lat., Felicitate corrumpimur.]

Topics: Fortune, Good Fortune

War will of itself discover and lay open the hidden and rankling wounds of the victorious party.

source: - Tacitus (2007). “The Annals & The Histories”, p.448, Modern Library

Topics: War, Party, Conquest

Eloquence wins its great and enduring fame quite as much from the benches of our opponents as from those of our friends.

source: - Cornelius Tacitus, Alfred John Church, William Jackson Brodribb (1911). “The Agricola and Germany of Tacitus and The Dialogue on Oratory: Translated Into English with Notes and Maps”

Topics: Winning, Benches, Opponents

They even say that an altar dedicated to Ulysses , with the addition of the name of his father, Laertes , was formerly discovered on the same spot, and that certain monuments and tombs with Greek inscriptions, still exist on the borders of Germany and Rhaetia .

source: - Cornelius Tacitus (1868). “The Agricola and Germany of Tacitus”

Topics: Father, Names, Greek, Inscriptions

Crime succeeds by sudden despatch; honest counsels gain vigor by delay.

Topics: Vigor, Delay, Gains

In careless ignorance they think it civilization, when in reality it is a portion of their slavery...To ravage, to slaughter, to usurp under false pretenses, they call empire; and where they make a desert, they call it peace.

Topics: Ignorance, Reality, Thinking

This I hold to be the chief office of history, to rescue virtuous actions from the oblivion to which a want of records would consign them, and that men should feel a dread of being considered infamous in the opinions of posterity, from their depraved expressions and base actions.

Topics: Men, Expression, History, Depraved

Our magistrates discharge their duties best at the beginning; and fall off toward the end. [Lat., Initia magistratuum nostrorum meliora, ferme finis inclinat.]

Topics: Fall, Law, Ends, Magistrates