Gaius Sallustius Crispus Politician

Gender: Male
Citizenship: Roman Empire
Born: 86 BCE
Died: 35 BCE

Gaius Sallustius Crispus, usually anglicised as Sallust, was a Roman historian, politician, and novus homo from a provincial plebeian family. Sallust was born at Amiternum in the country of the Sabines and was a popularis, opposer of the old Roman aristocracy throughout his career, and later a partisan of Julius Caesar. Sallust is the earliest known Roman historian with surviving works to his name, of which we have Catiline's War, The Jugurthine War, and the Histories. Sallust was primarily influenced by the Greek historian Thucydides and amassed great wealth from his governorship of Africa.

A good man would prefer to be defeated than to defeat injustice by evil means.

being good

Harmony makes small things grow, lack of it makes great things decay.

greatness

All who consult on doubtful matters, should be void of hatred, friendship, anger, and pity.

anger & friendship

Neither soldiers nor money can defend a king but only friends won by good deeds, merit, and honesty.

money

It is a law of human nature that in victory even the coward may boast of his prowess, while defeat injures the reputation even of the brave.

nature

All those who offer an opinion on any doubtful point should first clear their minds of every sentiment of dislike, friendship, anger or pity.

anger & friendship

The firmest friendship is based on an identity of likes and dislikes.

friendship

The fame that goes with wealth and beauty is fleeting and fragile intellectual superiority is a possession glorious and eternal.

beauty

To like and dislike the same things, this is what makes a solid friendship.

friendship