The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.
TacitusRead
Secure against the designs of men, secure against the malignity of the Gods, they have accomplished a thing of infinite difficulty; that to them nothing remains even to be wished.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the idea of achieving a state of security that nullifies desire and ambition.
Tacitus suggests that achieving absolute security, free from both human intentions and divine malevolence, leads to a state of existence where nothing is left to long for or desire. This points to the paradox of ultimate security, which may result in a lack of aspiration or purpose.
Themes
SecurityDesireAspirationHumanityPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a philosophical discussion on the nature of security and happiness.
More from Tacitus
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Great empires are not maintained by timidity.
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Things are not to be judged good or bad merely because the public think so.
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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.
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The brave and bold persist even against fortune; the timid and cowardly rush to despair though fear alone.
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Im waiting, for what, my kind of people, what kind is that, i can tell my kind of people by their faces, by something in their faces.
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To transform the world, we must begin with ourselves; and what is important in beginning with ourselves is the intention. The intention must be to understand ourselves and not to leave it to others to transform themselves or to bring about a modified change through revolution, either of the left or of the right. It is important to understand that this is our responsibility, yours and mine.
Jiddu KrishnamurtiRead
Modern masters of science are much impressed with the need of beginning all inquiry with a fact. The ancient masters of religion were quite equally impressed with that necessity. They began with the fact of sin-a fact as practical as potatoes. Whether or not man could be washed in miraculous waters, there was no doubt at any rate that he wanted washing.
Gilbert K. ChestertonRead
We human beings build houses because we're alive but we write books because we're mortal. We live in groups because we're sociable but we read because we know we're alone. Reading offers a kind of companionship that takes no one's place but that no one can replace either. It offers no definitive explanation of our destiny but links us inextricably to life. Its tiny secret links remind us of how paradoxically happy we are to be alive while illuminating how tragically absurd life is.
Daniel PennacRead