Sine īrā et studiō is a Latin term meaning "without anger and passion". It was coined by Roman historian Tacitus in the introduction to his Annals 1.1.,[1] which can be translated[2] as follows:

The histories of Tiberius, Gaius, Claudius, and Nero, while they were in power, were falsified through terror, and after their death were written under the irritation of a recent hatred. Hence my purpose is to relate a few facts about Augustus - more particularly his last acts, then the reign of Tiberius, and all which follows, without either bitterness or partiality, from any motives to which I am far removed.

The quote is often used to remind historians, reporters, editors etc. not to get carried away by emotion when writing about war or crimes. It is also the motto of the Czech Bureau for Foreign Relations and Information,[3] as well as of the Danish Army Military Police.[4] A modern version is "without fear or favor".[5]

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References

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  1. ^ "P. Corneli Taciti Annalium Liber Primus" [The First Book of the Annals by P. Cornelius Tacitus]. thelatinlibrary.com (in Latin). Retrieved 2024-08-12. ..., sine ira et studio, quorum causas procul habeo. [Ending of the first paragaph.]
  2. ^ "Who was Who in Roman Times :Annals by Tacitus". www.romansonline.com. Archived from the original on 2022-05-28.
  3. ^ "Úvodní stránka - Úřad pro zahraniční styky a informace" [Homepage - Office of Foreign Relations and Information]. www.uzsi.cz. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  4. ^ "Militærpolitiforeningen i Danmark. Society of Military Police in DK". www.militarypolice.dk.
  5. ^ Dunlap, David W. (September 12, 2015). "Looking Back. 1896 | 'Without Fear or Favor'". New York Times. Archived from the original on 2015-09-14.