WednesdayFeb 04, 2026
Quotes: 53419 Authors: 9969
Whatever is unknown is magnified.
It belongs to human nature to hate those you have injured. Proprium humani ingenii est odisse quem læseris
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.
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.
Valor is of no service, chance rules all, and the bravest often fall by the hands of cowards.
Following Emporer Neros 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.
Annales, said of Galba: By general consent, he would have been capable of ruling, had he not ruled. Omnium consensu capax imperii nisi imperasset
You might believe a good man easily, a great man with pleasure. Bonum virum facile crederes, magnum libenter
When they make a desolation they call it peace. Ubi solitudinem faciunt pacem appellant
There is no less danger from great fame than from infamy.
In all things there is a law of cycles.
It is of eloquence as of a flame; it requires matter to feed it, motion to excite it, and it brightens as it burns.
Lust of power is the most flagrant of all passions.
Nothing is so weak and unstable as a reputation for power not based on force.
Old things are always in good repute, present things in disfavor.
Power acquired by guilt was never used for a good purpose.
Power is more retained by wary measures than by daring counsels.
Such being the happiness of the times, that you may think as you wish, And speak as you think.
The brave and bold persist even against fortune; the timid and cowardly rush to despair though fear alone.
The love of fame is the last weakness which even the wise resign.
In seasons of tumult and discord bad men have most power; mental and moral excellence require peace and quietness.
Things forbidden have a secret charm.
Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay; falsehood by haste and uncertainty.
Victor and vanquished never unite in substantial agreement.
We accomplish more by prudence than by force.
When men are full of envy they disparage everything, whether it be good or bad.
When the state is most corrupt, then the laws are most multiplied.
If we must fall, we should boldly meet the danger.
The hatred of relatives is the most violent.
Even war is better than a wretched peace.
Greater things are believed of those who are absent.
Even the bravest men are frightened by sudden terrors.
Liberty is given by nature even to mute animals.
Candor and generosity, unless tempered by due moderation, lead to ruin.
A peace may be so wretched as not to be ill exchanged for war.
A desire to resist oppression is implanted in the nature of man.
A bitter jest, when it comes too near the truth, leaves a sharp sting behind it.
They create desolation, and call it peace.
Reason and judgment are the qualities of a leader.
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