The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.
TacitusRead
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The pursuit of safety can hinder ambitious and noble pursuits.
Tacitus highlights that an excessive focus on safety can prevent individuals and societies from undertaking significant and worthwhile endeavors. This sentiment reflects the idea that great achievements often require taking risks and stepping outside of comfort zones, suggesting that the fear of failure or danger should not deter one from striving for greatness.
Themes
SafetyRiskCourageEnterpriseGreatness
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote during a motivational speech to encourage entrepreneurs to take risks.
More from Tacitus
All quotes βIn private enterprises men may advance or recede, whereas they who aim at empire have no alternative between the highest success and utter downfall.
TacitusRead
Great empires are not maintained by timidity.
TacitusRead
Things are not to be judged good or bad merely because the public think so.
TacitusRead
So obscure are the greatest events, as some take for granted any hearsay, whatever its source, others turn truth into falsehood, and both errors find encouragement with posterity.
TacitusRead
The brave and bold persist even against fortune; the timid and cowardly rush to despair though fear alone.
TacitusRead
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