Tag: Livy

Shared danger is the strongest of bonds; it will keep men united in spite of mutual dislike and suspicion.

Livy

Better late than never.

Livy

“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.”

Livy

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

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

Livy

Men are only too clever at shifting blame from their own shoulders to those of others.

Livy

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

Livy

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.

Livy

The sun has not yet set for all time.

Livy

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

Livy