Publius Tacitus
Publius Tacitus
necessity reforms rich satiety
Necessity reforms the poor, and satiety the rich
fame last love wise
Love of fame is the last thing even the wise give up
against bear grudge people
We bear a grudge against the people we've done down
atrocity calling lay peace waste
When monarchs through their bloodthirsty commanders lay waste a country, they dignify their atrocity by calling it "Making Peace
peace
They made a wasteland and called it peace
actions deeds evil fear history infamous office prevent principle reputation virtuous words
The principle 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.
behind bitter jest leaves near satire sharp sting truth
Bitter the jest when satire comes too near truth and leaves a sharp sting behind it
boldly courage danger meet
If we must fall, we should boldly meet the danger.
aspired equal higher talents
He had talents equal to business, and aspired no higher
call peace
They (the Romans) make a desert, and they call it peace
men vice
There will be vice as long as there are men
corrupt law-and-lawyers
The more corrupt the state, the more laws.
call peace wilderness
They make a wilderness and call it peace.
proper prudence qualities
Forethought and prudence are the proper qualities of a leader.