Best Livy Quotes

Livy Quotes About Latin, Funny, War, Inspirational, Roman Kings! Titus Livius, most often referred to as Livy, was a Roman historian best remembered for writing the mammoth opus known as ‘Ab Urbe Condita Libri’ (Books from the Foundation of the City). He recorded the history of Rome and the Roman people from the earliest traditions of Rome, which date back to a period before the city’s official origin in 753 BC, all the way up to the reign of Augustus, which occurred during Livy’s lifetime.

According to some records, he was born in 64 BCE, while others suggest that he was born in 59 BCE. Livy had a great attachment to his hometown throughout his life, and he communicated this via his writing. While growing up in the 40s BC, he saw multiple civil wars that decimated the Roman Empire. He was well-versed in the study of rhetoric and philosophy. Many people feel he was financially secure enough to live on his own. For most of his life, he could devote himself exclusively to writing because of the financial independence he had achieved in his early years.

As well as being great friends with Emperor Augustus, he was also friendly with other imperial members. Among the best-known works of Livy is his history of Rome. He spent a lot of time writing on the lengthy period between the city’s founding and Augustus’ demise.

Because he wrote most of his work during Augustus’ reign, the history he presents is dominated by Rome’s great victories. According to his introduction, he doesn’t mind history forgetting him as long as his labor ensures the “remember of the actions of the preeminent country of the globe.” Either between 12 or 17 AD, Livy died at Patavium.

Best Livy Quotes

1. “This above all makes history useful and desirable; it unfolds before our eyes a glorious record of exemplary actions.” -Livy 

2. “The sun has not yet set for all time.” -Livy 

3. “All things will be clear and distinct to the man who does not hurry; haste is blind and improvident.” -Livy 

4. “Resistance to criminal rashness comes better late than never.” -Livy 

5. “Envy like fire always makes for the highest points.” -Livy 

6. “The result showed that fortune helps the brave.” -Livy 

7. “Many difficulties which nature throws in our way, may be smoothed away by the exercise of intelligence.” -Livy 

8. “There is nothing man will not attempt when great enterprises hold out the promise of great rewards.” -Livy 

9. “Woe to the conquered.” -Livy 

10. “There are laws for peace as well as war.” -Livy 

11. “We fear things in proportion to our ignorance of them.” -Livy 

12. “Indeed, that is the nature of crowds: the mob is either a humble slave or a cruel aster. As for the middle way of liberty, the mob can neither take it nor keep it with any respect for moderation or law.” -Livy 

13. “Men of outstanding ability are more likely to lack the power of controlling their own people than of defeating an enemy in battle.”-Livy 

14. “This above all makes history useful and desirable; it unfolds before our eyes a glorious record of exemplary actions.” -Livy 

15. “When Numa died, Rome by the twin disciplines of peace and war was as eminent for self-mastery as for military power.” -Livy 

16. “We survive on adversity and perish in ease and comfort.” -Livy 

17. “We can endure neither our vices nor their cure.” -Livy 

18. “The Roman envoys replied that they would go where their own generals led them, not were bidden by their enemies.” -Livy 

19. “[Law] admits of no mitigation nor pardon, once you have overstepped its limits.” -Livy 

20. “[Rhodian delegation:] Every city contains wicked citizens from time to time and an ignorant populace all the time.” -Livy 

21. “Luck rules every human endeavour, especially war.” -Livy 

22. “The study of History is the best medicine for a sick mind.” -Livy 

23. “Public misfortune…nothing of this nature appeals more directly to us than the loss of money.” -Livy 

24. “Envy is blind. -Caeca invidia est.” -Livy 

25. “Friends should be judged by their acts, not their words.” -Livy 

26. “It is easier to criticize than to correct our past errors.” -Livy 

27. “There is nothing that is more often clothed in an attractive garb than a false creed.” -Livy 

28. “Men are only clever at shifting blame from their own shoulders to those of others.” -Livy 

29. “The populace is like the sea motionless in itself…stirred by even the lightest breeze.” -Livy 

30. “The old Romans all wished to have a king over them because they had not yet tasted the sweetness of freedom.” -Livy