# The Histories

- Author: [Tacitus](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tacitus.md)
- Quotes: 10
- Book page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/tacitus/the-histories

## Quotes

> There will be vices as long as there are men.

> There is a division of duties between the army and its generals. Eagerness for battle becomes the soldiers, but generals serve the cause by forethought, by counsel, by delay oftener than by temerity. As I promoted your victory to the utmost of my power by my sword and by my personal exertions, so now I must help you by prudence and by counsel, the qualities which belong peculiarly to a general.

> 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.

> The soldiers have the plunder of a city that is stormed, the generals of one which capitulates.

> 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.