Indeed, when a ruler once becomes unpopular, all his acts, be they good or bad, tell against him. - Tacitus

Juniores post Actiacam victoriam, etiam senes plerique inter bella civium nati: quotus quisque reliquus qui rem publicam vidisset? Igitur verso civitatis statu nihil usquam prisci et integri moris: omnes exuta aequalitate iussa principis aspectare, ...

For I deem it to be the chief function of history to rescue merit from oblivion, and to hold up before evil words and evil deeds the terror of the reprobation of posterity.

Thou wast indeed fortunate, Agricola, not only in the splendour of thy life, but in the opportune moment of thy death.