Not treasured wealth, nor the consul's lictor, can dispel the mind's bitter conflicts and the cares that flit, like bats, about your fretted roofs.
A host is like a general: calamities often reveal his genius.
In my youth I thought of writing a satire on mankind! but now in my age I think I should write an apology for them.
Not worth is an example that does not solve the problem.
Undeservedly you will atone for the sins of your fathers.
It is no great art to say something briefly when, like Tacitus, one has something to say; when one has nothing to say, however, and none the less writes a whole book and makes truth into a liar - that I call an achievement.