Quotes of All Topics . Occasions . Authors
The swifter hand doth the swift words outrun: Before the tongue hath spoke the hand hath done.
If fame comes after death, I'm in no hurry for it. [Lat., Si post fata venit gloria non propero.]
The bee is enclosed, and shines preserved in amber, so that it seems enshrined in its own nectar.
It is easy in adversity to despise death; he has real fortitude who dares to live and be wretched.
No amount of misfortune will satisfy the man who is not satisfied with reading a hundred epigrams.
It is not he who forms idols in gold or marble that makes them gods, but he who kneels before them.
Be content to be what you are, and prefer nothing to it, and do not fear or wish for your last day.
If you are poor now, Aemilianus, you will always be poor. Riches are now given to none but the rich.
Such are thou and I: but what I am thou canst not be; what thou art any one of the multitude may be.
Service cannot be expected from a friend in service; let him be a freeman who wishes to be my master.
Man loves malice, but not against one-eyed men nor the unfortunate, but against the fortunate and proud.
You're obstinate, pliant, merry, morose, all at once. For me there's no living with you, or without you.
If pale beans bubble for you in a red earthenware pot, you can often decline the dinners of sumptuous hosts.
You complain, friend Swift, of the length of my epigrams, but you yourself write nothing. Yours are shorter.
If my opinion is of any worth, the fieldfare is the greatest delicacy among birds, the hare among quadrupeds.
Gifts are like fish-hooks; for who is not aware that the greedy char is deceived by the fly which he swallows?
It is not, believe me, the act of a wise man to say, "I will live." To-morrow's life is too late; live to-day.
Why do strong arms fatigue themselves with frivolous dumbbells? To dig a vineyard is worthier exercise for men.
That which prevents disagreeable flies from feeding on your repast, was once the proud tail of a splendid bird.
You importune me, Tucca, to present you with my books. I shall not do so; for you want to sell, not to read, them.
When your crowd of attendants so loudly applaud you, Pomponius, it is not you, but your banquet, that is eloquent.
You puff the poets of other days, The living you deplore. Spare me the accolade: your praise Is not worth dying for.
You are sad in the midst of every blessing. Take care that Fortune does not observe--or she will call you ungrateful.
See, how the liver is swollen larger than a fat goose! In amazement you will exclaim: Where could this possibly grow?
You are so pure in mind and heart, In aspect, too, so mild, I wonder that you ever could Implant your wife with child.
This I ask, is it not madness to kill thyself in order to escape death? [Lat., Hic rogo non furor est ne moriare mori?]
Your seventh wife, Phileros, is now being buried in your field. No man's field brings him greater profit than yours, Phileros.
No hero to me is the man who, by easy shedding of his blood, purchases fame: my hero is he who, without death, can win praise.
He who prefers to give Linus the half of what he wishes to borrow, rather than to lend him the whole, prefers to lose only the half.
A good man doubles the length of his existence; to have lived so as to look back with pleasure on our past existence is to live twice.
You give me nothing during your life, but you promise to provide for me at your death. If you are not a fool, you know what I wish for!
If your slave commits a fault, do not smash his teeth with your fists; give him some of the (hard) biscuit which famous Rhodes has sent you.
The African lions rush to attack bulls; they do not attack butterflies. [Lat., In tauros Libyci ruunt leones; Non sunt papilionibus molesti.]
I am a shell-fish just come from being saturated with the waters of the Lucrine lake, near Baiae; but now I luxuriously thrust for noble pickle.
He who thinks that the lives of Priam and of Nestor were long is much deceived and mistaken. Life consists not in living, but in enjoying health.
You praise, in three hundred verses, Sabellus, the baths of Ponticus, who gives such excellent dinners. You wish to dine, Sabellus, not to bathe.
I have granted you much that you asked: and yet you never cease to ask of me. He who refuses nothing, Atticilla, will soon have nothing to refuse.
The shameless Chloe placed on the tombs of her seven husbands the inscription, "The work of Chloe." How could she have expressed herself more plainly?
He who writes distichs, wishes, I suppose, to please by brevity. But, tell me, of what avail is their brevity, when there is a whose book full of them?
A jar of wine so priceless did not deserve to die. and Never think of leaving perfume or wines to your heir. Administer these youself and let him have the money.
Rarity gives a charm; so early fruits and winter roses are the most prized; and coyness sets off an extravagant mistress, while the door always open tempts no suitor.
You admire, Vacerra, only the poets of old and praise only those who are dead. Pardon me, I beseech you, Vacerra, if I think death too high a price to pay for your praise.
Believing hear, what you deserve to hear: Your birthday as my own to me is dear... But yours gives most; for mine did only lend Me to the world; yours gave to me a friend.
While an ant was wandering under the shade of the tree of Phaeton, a drop of amber enveloped the tiny insect; thus she, who in life was disregarded, became precious by death.
Short is the life of those who possess great accomplishments, and seldom do they reach a good old age. Whatever thou lovest, pray that thou mayest not set too high a value on it.
Who gives to friends so much from Fate secures, That is the only wealth for ever yours. [Lat., Extra fortunam est, quidquid donatur amicis; Quas dederis, selas semper habebis opes.]
While you remain at home your hair is at the hairdresser's; you take out your teeth at night and sleep tucked away in a hundred cosmetics boxes - even your face does not sleep with you.
I do not like the man who squanders life for fame; give me the man who living makes a name. [Lat., Nolo virum facili redimit qui sanquine famam; Hunc volo laudari qui sine morte potest.]
In adversity it is easy to despise life; he is truly brave who can endure a wretched life. [Lat., Rebus in angustis facile est contemnere vitam; Fortiter ille facit qui miser esse potest.]
If I remember right, Aelia, you had four teeth; a cough displaced two, another two more. You can now cough without anxiety all the day long. A third cough can find nothing to do in your mouth.