Livy Quotes

60 Sourced Quotes

Nowhere are our calculations more frequently upset than in war.

Livy
Truth, they say, is but too often in difficulties, but is never finally suppressed.

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

Livy
We can endure neither our vices nor the remedies for them.

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

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
He was always before men's eyes; a course of action which, by increasing our familiarity with great men, diminishes our respect for them.

Livy
Toil and pleasure, in their natures opposite, are yet linked together in a kind of necessary connection.

Livy
The worst kind of shame is that caused by parsimony or poverty.

Livy
Fame opportunely despised often comes back redoubled.

Livy
War is just to those for whom it is necessary, and arms are clear of impiety for those who have no hope left but in arms.

Livy
The more common report is that Remus mockingly jumped over the newly raised walls and was forthwith killed by the enraged Romulus, who exclaimed, "So shall it be henceforth with every one who leaps over my walls."

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

Livy
Better and safer is an assured peace than a victory hoped for. The one is in your own power, the other is in the hands of the gods.

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

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

Livy
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.

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

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

Livy
Before anything else [Numa] decided that he must instill in his subjects the fear of the gods, this being the most effective measure with an ignorant, and at that time uncultured, people.

Livy
Envy like fire always makes for the highest points.

Livy
For he considered that, in many cases, but especially 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.

Livy
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.

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

Livy
They are more than men at the outset of their battles; at the end they are less than the women.

Livy
There is nothing man will not attempt when great enterprises hold out the promise of great rewards.

Livy
There is always more spirit in attack than in defense.

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
Favor and honor sometimes fall more fitly on those who do not desire them.

Livy