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.

Old things are always in good repute, present things in disfavor.

So as you go into battle, remember your ancestors and remember your descendants.

Falsehood avails itself of haste and uncertainty.

There was more courage in bearing trouble than in escaping from it; the brave and the energetic cling to hope, even in spite of fortune; the cowardly and the indolent are hurried by their fears,' said Plotius Firmus, Roman Praetorian Guard.

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

Custom adapts itself to expediency.