sine ira et studio

Sine ira et studio ( as much as: without wrath and zeal ) is the maxim according to which the Roman historian Tacitus wanted (approx. 58-120 ) proceed in his work. This phrase comes from the proem of the " Annals ".

This sentence corresponds to the "Agricola " prooemium the phrase "sine gratia et ambitione " ( so much like without gratitude and ambition ), as Tacitus promises at the beginning of the history that he " neque amore quisquam et sine odio " (ie: on no one will speak with affection and by everyone without hatred ).

The aim of historiography should be accordingly to report possible without partiality about historical events and people. According to Tacitus ' view of the historians praise in their books a ruler during his lifetime for fear of punishment. Write but in retrospect about a deceased tyrant, they often write out of anger and denounce the rulers - partly also wrong.

Sine ira et studio is often an invitation to a value-free history - in general or in science - quotes. This principle, however, was not adhered to by Tacitus himself, who quite often took sides.

His critics thought this sentence rather for not unusual in discharges captatio benevolentiae (winning the goodwill of the reader ). Such assurances were so numerous that they were also used ironically: So promises about Seneca in the introduction of Apocolocyntosis: " nihil nec offensae nec gratiae dabitur. " (No, neither hatred nor sympathy to myself also draw in the slightest. ).