The Histories

There will be vices as long as there are men.

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

The gods are on the side of the stronger.

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

He possessed a peculiar talent of producing effect in whatever he said or did.

The Jews’ other customs, which are at once perverse and disgusting, owe their strength to their very badness. The most degraded out of other races, scorning their national beliefs, brought to them their contributions and presents. This augmented the wealth of the Jews, as also did the fact, that among themselves they are inflexibly honest and ever ready to shew compassion, though they regard the rest of mankind with all the hatred of enemies. They sit apart at meals, they sleep apart, and though, as a nation, they are singularly prone to lust, they abstain from intercourse with foreign women; among themselves nothing is unlawful. Circumcision was adopted by them as a mark of difference from other men. Those who come over to their religion adopt the practice, and have this lesson first instilled into them, to despise all gods, to disown their country, and set at nought parents, children, and brethren. Still they provide for the increase of their numbers. It is a crime among them to kill any newly-born infant.

Indeed, when a ruler once becomes unpopular, all his acts, be they good or bad, tell against him.

Some might consider him as too fond of fame; for the desire for glory clings even to the best men longer than any other passion.