Titus Livy
Titus Livy (59 BC - AD 17), also Titus Livius in Latin, was a Roman historian. He wrote the History of Rome, titled Ab Urbe Condita, From the Founding of the City. He wrote 142 books. His History of Rome had become classic in his own time, which covered the period from the earliest period, the traditional founding in 753 BC to his own time. He was a fried of Augustus Caesar, the first Emperor of Rome. Historical value of his work has been questionable because of the decorated details it contained, and the purpose with which he wrote. However, many Romans came to believe his account to be true. In the preface to his history Livy wrote that he did not care whether his personal fame remained in darkness, as long as his work helped to "preserve the memory of the deeds of the world’s preeminent nation."Wisdom & Quotes
- Nothing hurts worse than the loss of money.
- History of Rome
- Truth is often eclipsed but never extinguished.
- History of Rome
- The study of history is the best medicine for a sick mind; for in history you have a record of the infinite variety of human experience plainly set out for all to see; and in that record you can find for yourself and your country both examples and warnings; fine things to take as models, base things, rotten through and through, to avoid.
– introduction to History of Rome
- We can endure neither our vices nor the remedies for them.
– Preface, History of Rome
- The old Romans all wished to have a king over them because they had not yet tasted the sweetness of freedom.
– Book I, History of Rome
- Before anything else [Numa] decided that he must instill in his subjects the fear of the gods, this being the most effective measure with an ignorant, and at that time uncultured, people.
– Book I, History of Rome
- Law is a thing which is insensible, and inexorable, more beneficial and more profitious to the weak than to the strong; it admits of no mitigation nor pardon, once you have overstepped its limits.
– Book II, History of Rome
- Shared danger is the strongest of bonds; it will keep men united in spite of mutual dislike and suspicion.
– Book II, History of Rome
- Better late than never.
– Book IV, History of Rome
- There is nothing man will not attempt when great enterprises hold out the promise of great rewards.
– Book IV, History of Rome
- Fortune blinds men when she does not wish them to withstand the violence of her onslaughts.
– Book V, History of Rome
- He will have true glory who despises it.
– Book XXII, History of Rome
- Truth, they say, is but too often in difficulties, but is never finally suppressed.
– Book XXII, History of Rome
- All things will be clear and distinct to the man who does not hurry; haste is blind and improvident.
– Book XXII, History of Rome
- The best known evil is the most tolerable.
– Book XXIII, History of Rome
- It is easy at any moment to surrender a large fortune; to build one up is a difficult and an arduous task.
– Book XXIV, History of Rome
- Such is the nature of crowds: either they are humble and servile or arrogant and dominating. They are incapable of making moderate use of freedom, which is the middle course, or of keeping it.
– Book XXIV, History of Rome
- Many things complicated by nature are restored by reason.
– Book XXVI, History of Rome
- Under the influence of fear, which always leads men to take a pessimistic view of things, they magnified their enemies’ resources, and minimized their own.
– Book XXVII, History of Rome
- Men are only too clever at shifting blame from their own shoulders to those of others.
– Book XXVIII, History of Rome
- The populace is like the sea, motionless in itself, but stirred by every wind, even the lightest breeze.
– Book XXVIII, History of Rome
- Men are slower to recognise blessings than misfortunes.
– Book XXX, History of Rome
- Better and safer is an assured peace than a victory hoped for. The one is in your own power, the other is in the hands of the gods.
– Book XXX, History of Rome
- It is easier to criticize than to correct our past errors.
– Book XXX, History of Rome
- It is when fortune is the most propitious that she is least to be trusted.
– Book XXX, History of Rome
- Good fortune and a good disposition are rarely given to the same man.
– Book XXX, History of Rome
- We feel public misfortunes just so far as they affect our private circumstances, and nothing of this nature appeals more directly to us than the loss of money.
– Book XXX, History of Rome
- There is nothing that is more often clothed in an attractive garb than a false creed.
– Book XXXIX, History of Rome
- The sun has not yet set for all time.
– Book XXXIX, History of Rome
- There is an old saying which, from its truth, has become proverbial, that friendships should be immortal, enmities mortal.
– Book XL, History of Rome
- A fraudulent intent, however carefully concealed at the outset, will generally, in the end, betray itself.
– Book XLIV, History of Rome
- He is truly a man who will not permit himself to be unduly elated when fortune’s breeze is favorable, or cast down when it is adverse.
– Book XLV, History of Rome
Ovid
Nearby pages
Titus Lucretius Carus, Titus Oates, Titus P Atticus, Tityus, Tiverton