The collection / 539 fragments

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Passages, proverbs, and questions carried across the ages.

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01c. 75 BC

For as lack of adornment is said to become some women, so this subtle oration, though without embellishment, gives delight.

Cicero / quote

02c. 75 BC

Thus in the beginning the world was so made that certain signs come before certain events.

Cicero / quote

03c. 75 BC

He is never less at leisure than when at leisure.

Cicero / quote

04c. 75 BC

While the sick man has life there is hope.

Cicero / quote

05c. 75 BC

Continual dropping wears away a stone.

Lucretius / quote

06c. 75 BC

What is food to one man may be fierce poison to others.

Lucretius / quote

07c. 75 BC

In the midst of the fountain of wit there arises something bitter, which stings in the very flowers.

Lucretius / quote

08c. 37 BC

In peace, as a wise man, he should make suitable preparation for war.

Horace / quote

09c. 37 BC

You may see me, fat and shining, with well-cared-for hide, . . . a hog from Epicurus's herd.

Horace / quote

10c. 37 BC

What the discordant harmony of circumstances would and could effect.

Horace / quote

11c. 37 BC

If you wish me to weep, you yourself must feel grief.

Horace / quote

12c. 37 BC

The mountains will be in labour; an absurd mouse will be born.

Horace / quote

13c. 37 BC

Even the worthy Homer sometimes nods.

Horace / quote

14c. 13 BC

They come to see; they come that they themselves may be seen.

Ovid / quote

15c. 13 BC

Nothing is stronger than custom.

Ovid / quote

16c. 13 BC

Then the omnipotent Father with his thunder made Olympus tremble, and from Ossa hurled Pelion.

Ovid / quote

17c. 13 BC

It is the mind that makes the man, and our vigour is in our immortal soul.

Ovid / quote

18c. 13 BC

The mind, conscious of rectitude, laughed to scorn the falsehood of report.

Ovid / quote

19c. 37 BC

Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which, in prosperous circumstances, would have lain dormant.

Horace / quote

20c. 75 BC

That which is usually called dotage is not the weak point of all old men, but only of such as are distinguished by their levity.

Cicero / quote

21c. 75 BC

The contemplation of celestial things will make a man both speak and think more sublimely and magnificently when he descends to human affairs.

Cicero / quote

22c. 75 BC

Avarice in old age, is foolish; for what can be more absurd than to increase our provisions for the road, the nearer we approach to our journey's end?

Cicero / quote

23c. 37 BC

The mind that is cheerful in its present state, will be averse to all solicitude as to the future, and will meet the bitter occurrences of life with a placid smile.

Horace / quote

24c. 37 BC

Unless your cask is perfectly clean, whatever you pour into it turns sour.

Horace / quote