The history of Rome presents various men of greater genius than Scipio Aemilianus, but none equalling him in moral purity, in the utter absence of political selfishness, in generous love of his country, and none, perhaps, to whom destiny has assigned a more tragic part.
Interpretation
The quote highlights Scipio Aemilianus's exceptional moral integrity and selflessness compared to other great figures in Roman history.
The quote by Theodor Mommsen reflects on the character of Scipio Aemilianus, emphasizing that while there may have been many individuals in Roman history with greater intellect or talent, none matched his moral purity and lack of political selfishness. It suggests that Aemilianus's devotion to his country and the tragic nature of his fate make him a uniquely admirable figure amongst his contemporaries.
In practice
Using this quote in a speech about leadership qualities during a civil service seminar.
An independent state does not pay too dear a price for its independence in accepting the sufferings of war when it cannot avoid them; a state which has lost its independence may find at least some compensation in the fact that its protector procures for it peace with its neighbours.
History is neither written nor made without love or hate.
History has a Nemesis for every sin.
Exercise cannot secure us from that dissolution to which we are decreed; but while the soul and body continue united, it can make the association pleasing, and give probable hopes that they shall be disciplined by an easy separation...to die is the fate of man; but to die with lingering anguish is generally his folly.
Swans sing before they die - 'twere no bad thing should certain persons die before they sing.
The hearing that is only in the ears is one thing. The hearing of the understanding is another. But the hearing of the spirit is not limited to any one faculty to the ear, or to the mind.
The thing about talking about human rights is that when one bears in mind the sharp end of it, one does not want to worry too much about semantics.
No one has the right to be sorry for himself for a misfortune that strikes everyone.
Take away from Genesis the belief that Moses was the author, on which only the strange believe that it is the word of God has stood, and there remains nothing of Genesis but an anonymous book of stories, fables, and traditionary or invented absurdities, or of downright lies.
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