Quotes of All Topics . Occasions . Authors
The thirst after fame is greater than that after virtue; for who embraces virtue if you take away its rewards?
Our prayers should be for a sound mind in a healthy body. [Lat., Orandum est ut sit mens sana in corpore sano.]
Hold it the greatest sin to prefer existence to honour, and for the sake of life to lose the reasons for living.
Now we suffer the evils of a long peace; luxury more cruel than war broods over us and avenges a conquered world.
Nature confesses that she has bestowed on the human race hearts of softest mould, in that she has given us tears.
The doings of men, their prayers, fear, wrath, pleasure, delights, and recreations, are the subject of this book.
There's no effrontery like that of a woman caught in the act; her very guilt inspires her with wrath and insolence.
The only path to a tranquil life is through virtue. [Lat., Semita certe Tranquillae per virtutem patet unica vitae.]
We deem those happy who, from the experience of life, have learned to bear its ills, without being overcome by them.
Those who do not wish to kill any one, wish they had the power. [Lat., Et qui nolunt occidere quemquam Posse volunt.]
O Poverty, thy thousand ills combined Sink not so deep into the generous mind, As the contempt and laughter of mankind.
We are all easily taught to imitate what is base and depraved. [Lat., Dociles imitandis Turpibus ac pravis omnes sumus.]
Nothing is more audacious than these women when detected; they assume anger, and take courage from the very crime itself.
When great assurance accompanies a bad undertaking, such is often mistaken for confiding sincerity by the world at large.
Some men make money not for the sake of living, but ache In the blindness of greed and live just for their fortune's sake.
Great power which incites great envy, hurls some men to destruction; they are drowned in a long splendid stream of honors.
For the gods, instead of what is most pleasing, will give what is most proper. Man is dearer to them than he is to himself.
The greatest reverence is due to a child! If you are contemplating a disgraceful act, despise not your child's tender years.
For whoever meditates a crime is guilty of the deed. [Lat., Nam scelus intra se tacitum qui cogitat ullum, Facti crimen habet.]
Be, as many now are, luxurious to yourself, parsimonious to your friends. [Lat., Esto, ut nunc multi, dives tibi pauper amicis.]
A child is owed the greatest respect; if you have ever have something disgraceful in mind, don't ignore your son's tender years.
The abject pleasure of an abject mind And hence so dear to poor weak woman kind. [Lat., Vindicta Nemo magis gaudet, quam femina.]
The short bloom of our brief and narrow life flies fast away. While we are calling for flowers and wine and women, old age is upon us.
There's scarce a case comes on but you shall find A woman's at the bottom. [Lat., Nulla fere causa est in qua non femina litem moverit.]
The examples of vice at home corrupt us more quickly and easily than others, since they steal into our minds under the highest authority.
Examples of vicious courses practiced in a domestic circle corrupt more readily and more deeply when we behold them in persons in authority.
It is a wretched thing to rest upon the fame of others, lest, the supporting pillar being removed, the superstructure should collapse in ruin.
They do not easily rise whose abilities are repressed by poverty at home. [Lat., Haud facile emergunt quorum virtutibus obstat Res angusta domi.]
Never does nature say one thing and Wisdom another. Variant: Wisdom and Nature! are they not the same? Variant: Nature and Wisdon always speak alike.
Every man's credit is proportioned to the money which he has in his chest. [Lat., Quantum quisque sua nummorum condit in area, Tantum habet et fidei.]
Refrain from doing ill; for one all powerful reason, lest our children should copy our misdeeds; we are all too prone to imitate whatever is base and depraved.
Trust me no tortures which the poets feign Can match the fierce unutterable pain He feels, who night and day devoid of rest Carries his own accuser in his breast.
The people that once bestowed commands, consulships, legions, and all else, now concerns itself no more, and longs eagerly for just two things: bread and circuses!
Fond man! though all the heroes of your line Bedeck your halls, and round your galleries shine In proud display; yet take this truth from me-- Virtue alone is true nobility!
Cheerless poverty has no harder trial than this, that it makes men the subject of ridicule. [Lat., Nil habet infelix paupertas durius in se Quam quod ridiculos homines facit.]
For He, who gave this vast machine to roll, Breathed Life in then, in us a Reasoning Soul; That kindred feelings might our state improve, And mutual wants conduct to mutual love.
The brief span of our poor unhappy life to its final hour Is hastening on; and while we drink and call for gay wreaths, Perfumes, and young girls, old age creeps upon us, unperceived.
Every vice makes its guilt the more conspicuous in proportion to the rank of the offender. [Lat., Omne animi vitium tanto conspectius in se Crimen habet, quanto major qui peccat habetur.]
There will he nothing more that posterity can add to our immoral habits; our descendants must have the same desires and act the same follies as their sires. Every vice has reached its zenith.
For the short-lived bloom and contracted span of brief and wretched life is fast fleeting away! While we are drinking and calling for garlands, ointments, and women, old age steals swiftly on with noiseless step.
Whatever guilt is perpetrated by some evil prompting, is grievous to the author of the crime. This is the first punishment of guilt that no one who is guilty is acquitted at the judgment seat of his own conscience.
Dare to do something worth of exile and prison if you mean to be anybody. Virtue is praised and left to freeze. [Lat., Aude aliquid brevibus Gyaris et carcere dignum Si vis esse aliquis. Probitas laudatur et alget.]
Let me moderate our sorrows. The grief of a man should not exceed proper bounds, but be in proportion to the blow he has received. [Lat., Ponamus nimios gemitus: flagrantior aequo Non debet dolor esse viri, nec vulnere major.]
The thirst for fame is much greater than that for virtue; for who would embrace virtue itself if you take away its rewards? [Lat., Tanto major famae sitis est quam Virtutis: quis enim virtutem amplectitur ipsam Praemia se tollas.]
Now that no one buys our votes, the public has long since cast off its cares; for the people that once bestowed commands, consulships, legions, and all else, now meddles no more and longs eagerly for just two things - bread and circuses.
Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses.
The short bloom of our brief and narrow life flies fast away. While we are calling for flowers and wine and women, old age is upon us. [Lat., Festinat enim decurrere velox Flosculus angustae miseraeque brevissima vitae Portico; dum bibimus dum sera unguenta puellas Poscimus obrepit non intellecta senectus.]
Ask for a valiant heart which has banished the fear of death, which looks upon length of days as one of the least of nature's gifts; which is able to suffer every kind of hardship, is proof against anger, craves for nothing, and reckons the trials and gruelling labours of Hercules as more desirable blessings than the amorous ease and the banquets and cushions of Sardanapallus. The things that I recommend you can grant to yourself.
Your prayer must be for a healthy mind in a sound body. Ask for a brave soul that has no fear of death, deems length of life the least of nature's gifts and is able to bear any kind of sufferings, knows neither wrath nor desire and believes the woes and hard labors of Hercules better than the loves and feasts and downy cushions of Sardanapalus. Reveal what you are able to give yourself; the only path to a life of tranquility lies through virtue.