xy

“Good fortune and a good disposition are rarely given to the same man.”

Livy (-59–17 BC) Roman historian

“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.”

Livy (-59–17 BC) Roman historian

“Are you going to offer yourselves here to the weapons of the enemy, undefended, unavenged? Why is it then you have arms? And why have you undertaken an offensive war? You who are ever turbulent in peace, and laggard in war. What hopes have you in standing here? Do you expect that some god will protect you and bear you hence? A way is to be made with the sword. Come you, who wish to behold your homes, your parents, your wives, and your children; follow me in the way in which you shall see me lead you on. It is not a wall or rampart that blocks your path, but armed men like yourselves. Their equals in courage, you are their superiors by force of necessity, which is the last and greatest weapon.”
Vos telis hostium estis indefensi, inulti? quid igitur arma habetis, aut quid ultro bellum intulistis, in otio tumultuosi, in bello segnes? quid hic stantibus spei est? an deum aliquem protecturum uos rapturumque hinc putatis? ferro via facienda est. hac qua me praegressum uideritis, agite, qui uisuri domos parentes coniuges liberos estis, ite mecum. non murus nec uallum sed armati armatis obstant. virtute pares, necessitate, quae ultimum ac maximum telum est, superiores estis'.

Livy (-59–17 BC) Roman historian

“Passions are generally roused from great conflict.”

Livy (-59–17 BC) Roman historian

“No one wants to be excelled by his relatives.”

Livy (-59–17 BC) Roman historian

“Luck is of little moment to the great general, for it is under the control of his intellect and his judgment.”

Livy (-59–17 BC) Roman historian

“Favor and honor sometimes fall more fitly on those who do not desire them.”

Livy (-59–17 BC) Roman historian

“I approach these questions unwillingly, as it wounds, but no cure can be effected without touching upon and handling them.”

Livy (-59–17 BC) Roman historian

“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.”
Is demum vir erit, cuius animum neque prosperae res flatu suo efferent nec adversae infringent

Livy (-59–17 BC) Roman historian

“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.”

Livy (-59–17 BC) Roman historian

“I shall find antiquity a rewarding study, if only because, while I am absorbed in it, I shall be able to turn my eyes from the troubles which for so long have tormented the modern world.”

Livy (-59–17 BC) Roman historian

“In difficult and desperate cases, the boldest counsels are the safest.”

Livy (-59–17 BC) Roman historian

“This above all makes history useful and desirable: it unfolds before our eyes a glorious record of exemplary actions.”

Livy (-59–17 BC) Roman historian

“Truth, they say, is but too often in difficulties, but is never finally suppressed.”

Livy (-59–17 BC) Roman historian

“The best known evil is the most tolerable.”
Notissimum [...] malum maxime tolerabile

Livy (-59–17 BC) Roman historian

“The populace is like the sea, motionless in itself, but stirred by every wind, even the lightest breeze.”

Livy (-59–17 BC) Roman historian

“No law can possibly meet the convenience of every one: we must be satisfied if it be beneficial on the whole and to the majority.”

Livy (-59–17 BC) Roman historian

“Greater is our terror of the unknown.”

Livy (-59–17 BC) Roman historian

“He will have true glory who despises it.”

Livy (-59–17 BC) Roman historian