Livy Quotes

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

The study of history is the best medicine for a sick mind; for in history you have a record of the infinite variety of human experience plainly set out for all to see; and in that record you can find yourself and your country both examples and warnings; fine things to take as models, base things rotten through and through, to avoid.

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

Men are slower to recognize blessings than evils.

A fraudulent intent, however carefully concealed at the outset, will generally, in the end, betray itself.

It takes a long time to bring excellence to maturity.

Adversity makes men remember God.

There is always more spirit in attack than in defence.

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

The old Romans all wished to have a king over them because they had not yet tasted the sweetness of freedom.

There is nothing worse than being ashamed of parsimony or poverty.

Great contests generally excite great animosities.

Truth is often eclipsed but never extinguished.

Better late than never.

Never is work without reward, or reward without work.

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

In war, mere appearances have had all the effect of realities; and that a person, under a firm persuasion that he can command resources, virtually has them; that very prospect inspiring him with hope and boldness in his exertions.

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.

Nature has ordained that the man who is pleading his own cause before a large audience, will be more readily listened to than he who has no object in view other than the public benefit.

Resistance to criminal rashness comes better late than never.

In grave difficulties, and with little hope, the boldest measures are the safest.

Friends should be judged by their acts, not their words.

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.

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.

I have often heard that the outstanding man is he who thinks deeply about a problem, and the next is he who listens carefully to advice.

Men are seldom blessed with good fortune and good sense at the same time.

The real power behind whatever success I have now was something I found within myself - something that's in all of us, I think, a little piece of God just waiting to be discovered.

Treachery, though at first very cautious, in the end betrays itself.

Persevere in virtue and diligence.

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

There is nothing that is more often clothed in an attractive garb than a false creed.

The result showed that fortune helps the brave.

Envy, like flames, soars upwards.

In adversity assume the countenance of prosperity, and in prosperity moderate the temper and desires.

The mind sins, not the body; if there is no intention, there is no blame.

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.

It is easier to criticize than to correct our past errors.

An honor prudently declined often returns with increased luster.

Nothing moves more quickly than scandal.

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

All things will be clear and distinct to the man who does not hurry; haste is blind and improvident.

Prosperity engenders sloth.

Envy like fire always makes for the highest points.

Greater is our terror of the unknown.

We survive on adversity and perish in ease and comfort.

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

Luck rules every human endeavor, especially war.

Necessity is the last and strongest weapon.

When Tarquin the Proud was asked what was the best mode of governing a conquered city, he replied only by beating down with his staff all the tallest poppies in his garden.

Wit is the flower of the imagination.