Publius Cornelius Tacitus

The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.

Whatever is unknown is magnified.

The brave and bold persist even against fortune; the timid and cowardly rush to despair though fear alone.

Liberty is given by nature even to mute animals.

If we must fall, we should boldly meet the danger.

Annales, said of Galba: By general consent, he would have been capable of ruling, had he not ruled. -Omnium consensu capax imperii nisi imperasset

Following Emporer Nero's command, "Let the Christians be exterminated!:" . . . they [the Christians] were made the subjects of sport; they were covered with the hides of wild beasts and worried to death by dogs, or nailed to crosses or set fire to, and when the day waned, burned to serve for the evening lights.

Valor is of no service, chance rules all, and the bravest often fall by the hands of cowards.

It is of eloquence as of a flame; it requires matter to feed it, and motion to excite it; and it brightens as it burns.

Fear is not in the habit of speaking truth; when perfect sincerity is expected, perfect freedom must be allowed; nor has anyone who is apt to be angry when he hears the truth any cause to wonder that he does not hear it.