Augustus gradually increased his powers, taking over those of the senate, the executives and the laws. The aristocracy received wealth and position in proportion to their willingness to accept slavery. The state had been transformed, and the old Roman character gone for ever. Equality among citizens was completely abandoned. All now waited on the imperial command.

It is less difficult to bear misfortunes than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure.

Zealous in the commencement, careless in the end.

I am my nearest neighbour.

The injustice of a government is proportional to the number of its laws.

Secure against the designs of men, secure against the malignity of the Gods, they have accomplished a thing of infinite difficulty; that to them nothing remains even to be wished.

Valor is the contempt of death and pain.