Abuse if you slight it, will gradually die away; but if you show yourself irritated, you will be thought to have deserved it. – Tacitus
It is always easier to requite an injury than a service: gratitude is a burden, but revenge is found to pay. – Tacitus
We see many who are struggling against adversity who are happy, and more although abounding in wealth, who are wretched. – 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
To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire; and where they make a wilderness, they call it peace. – Tacitus
Many who seem to be struggling with adversity are happy; many, amid great affluence, are utterly miserable. – Tacitus
A shocking crime was committed on the unscrupulous initiative of few individuals, with the blessing of more, and amid the passive acquiescence of all. – Tacitus
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. – 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