Quote by Tacitus
To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire; and where they make a wilderness, they call it peace.
Summary
This quote by Tacitus criticizes the actions taken by empires in the name of progress and stability. Tacitus suggests that the seemingly noble acts of conquest and control are actually characterized by violence and injustice. The plundering, slaughtering, and stealing that often accompany imperial expansion are conveniently labeled as empire-building, while the destruction and devastation caused are masked under the façade of peace. Tacitus implies that these actions merely serve to create desolation and chaos, contradicting the notion of bringing true tranquility to the conquered lands.
By Tacitus
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