Publius Cornelius Tacitus (56–117 CE) was a senator and a historian of the Roman Empire. The surviving portions of his two major works—the Annals and the Histories—examine the reigns of the emperors Tiberius, Claudius, Nero, and those who reigned in the Year of the Four Emperors. These two works span the history of the Roman Empire from the death of Augustus, in 14 AD, to the years of the First Jewish–Roman War, in 70 AD. There are substantial lacunae in the surviving texts, including a gap in the Annals that is four books long.
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It is a weakness of your human nature to hate those whom you have wronged.
—Tacitus
Topics: Hatred, Insults
Things forbidden have a secret charm.
—Tacitus
Topics: Temptation, Charm
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.
—Tacitus
Noble character is best appreciated in those ages in which it can most readily develop.
—Tacitus
Topics: Character
Love of fame is the last thing even learned men can bear to be parted from.
—Tacitus
Topics: Fame
Necessity reforms the poor, and satiety the rich.
—Tacitus
Topics: Reform
So, as you go into battle, remember your ancestors and remember your descendants.
—Tacitus
The more corrupt the republic, the more numerous the laws.
—Tacitus
Topics: Justice
Old things are always in good repute, present things in disfavor.
—Tacitus
Topics: Age, Aging