Livy: Trending quotes

“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.”

“They lived under a just and moderate government, and they admitted that one bond of their fidelity was that their rulers were the better men.”

“Temerity is not always successful.”

“Fortune blinds men when she does not wish them to withstand the violence of her onslaughts.”

“It is when fortune is the most propitious that she is least to be trusted.”

“It is better that a guilty man should not be brought to trial than that he should be acquitted.”

“There is an old saying which, from its truth, has become proverbial, that friendships should be immortal, enmities mortal.”

“Such impetuous schemes and boldness are at first sight alluring, but are difficult to handle, and in the result disastrous.”

“Rome has grown since its humble beginnings that it is now overwhelmed by its own greatness.”

“There is always more spirit in attack than in defense.”

“The name of freedom regained is sweet to hear.”

“We do not learn this only from the event, which is the master of fools.”

“Many things complicated by nature are restored by reason.”

“The troubles which have come upon us always seem more serious than those which are only threatening.”

“Toil and pleasure, dissimilar in nature, are nevertheless united by a certain natural bond.”

“He would not anticipate those counsels which are rather bestowed by circumstances on men, than by men on circumstances.”

“No law is sufficiently convenient to all.”

“The state is suffering from two opposite vices, avarice and luxury; two plagues which, in the past, have been the ruin of every great empire.”

“No crime can ever be defended on rational grounds.”