It is easy at any moment to surrender a large fortune; to build one up is a difficult and an arduous task.
LivyRead
A fraudulent intent, however carefully concealed at the outset, will generally, in the end, betray itself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Deceptive intentions will eventually reveal themselves over time.
This quote by Livy emphasizes the idea that no matter how much one tries to hide their dishonest intentions, the truth will eventually come to light. It suggests that fraudulent behavior may seem successful initially but ultimately leads to consequences that expose one's true motives.
Themes
FraudTruthIntentionsDeceptionConsequences
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about integrity in business, one might refer to this quote to highlight the importance of honesty.
More from Livy
All quotes βValor is the soldier's adornment.
LivyRead
The army from Asia introduced a foreign luxury to Rome; it was then the meals began to require more dishes and more expenditure . . . the cook, who had up to that time been employed as a slave of low price, become dear: what had been nothing but a metier was elevated to an art.
LivyRead
The study of history is the best medicine for a sick mind; for in history you have a record of the infinite variety of human experience plainly set out for all to see; and in that record you can find yourself and your country both examples and warnings; fine things to take as models, base things rotten through and through, to avoid.
LivyRead
Under the influence of fear, which always leads men to take a pessimistic view of things, they magnified their enemies' resources, and minimized their own.
LivyRead
The troubles which have come upon us always seem more serious than those which are only threatening.
LivyRead
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Ever since the Enlightenment, people thought that we were living in a rational universe. They thought that God was a mathematician and that the function of the scientist was to figure out the mathematical rules whereby the universe was created.
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The masses have never thirsted after truth. Whoever can supply them with illusions is easily their master; whoever attempts to destroy their illusions is always their victim.
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The Holy Spirit upon my left leads my feet without ceasing into the camp of the righteous and into the tents of the free.
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