The collection / 593 fragments

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Passages, proverbs, and questions carried across the ages.

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593 results · Page 24 of 25Play this collection ▷

01c. 75 BC

Vicious habits are so odious and degrading that they transform the individual who practices them into an incarnate demon.

Cicero / quote

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02c. 83 AD

Epaminondas, that heathen captain, finding himself lifted up in the day of his public triumph, the next day went drooping and hanging down his head; but being asked what was the reason of his so great dejection, made answer: "Yesterday I felt myself transported with vainglory, therefore I chastise myself for it to-day."

Plutarch / quote

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03c. 75 BC

When I consider the wonderful activity of the mind, so great a memory of what is past, and such a capacity of penetrating into the future; when I behold such a number of arts and sciences, and such a multitude of discoveries thence arising; I believe and am firmly persuaded that a nature which contains so many things within itself cannot be mortal.

Cicero / quote

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04c. 75 BC

True law is right reason conformably to nature, universal, unchangeable, eternal, whose commands urge us to duty, and whose prohibitions restrain us from evil.

Cicero / quote

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05c. 75 BC

Learning maketh young men temperate, is the comfort of old age, standing for wealth with poverty, and serving as an ornament to riches.

Cicero / quote

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06c. 32 AD

A large library is apt to distract rather than to instruct the learner; it is much better to be confined to a few authors than to wander at random over many.

Seneca / quote

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07c. 50 AD

Comport thyself in life as at a banquet. If a plate is offered thee, extend thy hand and take it moderately; if it be withdrawn, do not detain it. If it come not to thy side, make not thy desire loudly known, but wait patiently till it be offered thee.

Epictetus / quote

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08c. 75 BC

Orators are most vehement when they have the weakest cause, as men get on horseback when they cannot walk.

Cicero / quote

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09c. 50 AD

The two powers which in my opinion constitute a wise man are those of bearing and forbearing.

Epictetus / quote

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10c. 75 BC

In the eyes of a wise judge proofs by reasoning are of more value than witnesses.

Cicero / quote

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11c. 32 AD

The shortest road to riches lies through contempt of riches.

Seneca / quote

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12c. 32 AD

The man who has learned to triumph over sorrow wears his miseries as though they were sacred fillets upon his brow, and nothing is so entirely admirable as a man bravely wretched.

Seneca / quote

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13c. 83 AD

Speech is like cloth of Arras, opened and put abroad, whereby the imagery doth appear in figure; whereas in thoughts they lie but as in packs.

Plutarch / quote

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14c. 32 AD

Time hath often cured the wound which reason failed to heal.

Seneca / quote

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15c. 83 AD

Wickedness is a wonderfully diligent architect of misery, of shame, accompanied with terror and commotion, and remorse, and endless perturbation.

Plutarch / quote

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16c. 50 AD

In the schools of the wrestling master, when a boy falls he is bidden to get up again, and to go on wrestling day by day till he has acquired strength; and we must do the same, and not be like those poor wretches who, after one failure, suffer themselves to be swept along as by a torrent. You need but will, and it is done; but if you relax your efforts, you will be ruined; for ruin and recovery are both from within.

Epictetus / quote

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17c. 32 AD

Lack of desire is the greatest riches.

Seneca / quote

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18c. 83 AD

Philosophy is the art of living.

Plutarch / quote

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19c. 83 AD

Rest is the sweet sauce of labor.

Plutarch / quote

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20c. 75 BC

Quod est, eo decet uti: et quicquid agas, agere pro viribus. What one has, one ought to use: and whatever he does he should do with all his might.

Cicero / quote

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21c. 32 AD

Quamvis tegatur proditur vultu furor. Anger, though concealed, is betrayed by the countenance.

Seneca / quote

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22c. 32 AD

Wisdom does not show itself so much in precept as in life—a firmness of mind and mastery of appetite.

Seneca / quote

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23c. 75 BC

Nihil est autem tarn volucre, quam maledictum; nihil facilius emittitur; nihil citius excipitur, latius dissipatur. Nothing is so swift as calumny; nothing is more easily uttered; nothing more readily received; nothing more widely dispersed.

Cicero / quote

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24c. 83 AD

I have heard that Tiberius used to say that that man was ridiculous, who after sixty years, appealed to a physician.

Plutarch / quote

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