Tacitus War Quotations

A bad peace is even worse than war.

To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire; and where they make a wilderness, they call it peace.

The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.

The worst crimes were dared by a few, willed by more and tolerated by all.

It was rather a cessation of war than a beginning of peace. [Lat., Bellum magis desierat, quam pax coeperat.]

War will of itself discover and lay open the hidden and rankling wounds of the victorious party.

Miseram pacem vel bello bene mutari. Even war is preferable to a shameful peace.