Cornelius Tacitus Quote - Liberty Quotes Blog

"The lust for power, for dominating others, inflames the heart more than any other passion."

by:	Cornelius Tacitus (55-117 A.D.) Senator and historian of the Roman Empire
Source:	The Histories
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Categories:	Power, Passion, Domination
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Reader comments about this quote:

Maybe for some...but I would think most of us just want to be left alone to live our lives free and liberated...and pursue happiness. -- J Carlton, Calgary
It does seem to inflame the hearts of politicians the world over. -- jim k, Austin, Tx
Growing up I could never understand the rise some people obviously got from dominating others. I never understood that, but I did come to realize that the dangers of this world are those that assume their authority over me without my consent. I never wanted to tell others what to do, I just wanted to be able to do my own thing without being a nuisance to anyone else. Busy-bodies of all sorts seem to be the norm -- I think because we have been brought up that way and unconsciously do to others what was done to us. Freedom is absolutely determined by the consciousness of the people -- if the people believe in hierarchy, lords and serfs, then they will generally obey or seek to rule, if the people believe in freedom and responsibility, a different sort of order appears. Liberty is still an unrealized ideal. -- E Archer, NYC