Quote collection
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"Themistocles being asked whether he would rather be Achilles or Homer, said, "Which would you rather be, a conqueror in the Olympic games, or the crier that proclaims who are conquerors?"
"The giving of riches and honors to a wicked man is like giving strong wine to him that hath a fever."
"When one is transported by rage, it is best to observe attentively the effects on those who deliver themselves over to the same passion."
"I am all that hath been, and is, and shall be; and my veil no mortal has hitherto raised."
"For he who gives no fuel to fire puts it out, and likewise he who does not in the beginning nurse his wrath and does not puff himself up with anger takes precautions against it and destroys it."
"As small letters hurt the sight, so do small matters him that is too much intent upon them; they vex and stir up anger, which begets an evil habit in him in reference to greater affairs."
"Riches for the most part are hurtful to them that possess them."
"It does not follow, that because a particular work of art succeeds in charming us, its creator also deserves our admiration."
"When the candles are out all women are fair."
"Men who marry wives very much superior to themselves are not so truly husbands to their wives as they are unawares made slaves to their position."
"Courage and wisdom are, indeed, rarities amongst men, but of all that is good, a just man it would seem is the most scarce."
"What can they suffer that do not fear to die?"
"Ought a man to be confident that he deserves his good fortune, and think much of himself when he has overcome a nation, or city, or empire; or does fortune give this as an example to the victor also of the uncertainty of human affairs, which never continue in one stay? For what time can there be for us mortals to feel confident, when our victories over others especially compel us to dread fortune, and while we are exulting, the reflection that the fatal day comes now to one, now to another, in regular succession, dashes our joy."
"A human body in no way resembles those that were born for ravenousness; it hath no hawk's bill, no sharp talon, no roughness of teeth, no such strength of stomach or heat of digestion, as can be sufficient to convert or alter such heavy and fleshy fare."
"Let a prince be guarded with soldiers, attended by councillors, and shut up in forts; yet if his thoughts disturb him, he is miserable."
"Had I a careful and pleasant companion that should show me my angry face in a glass, I should not at all take it ill; to behold man's self so unnaturally disguised and dishonored will conduce not a little to the impeachment of anger."
"A friend should be like money, tried before being required, not found faulty in our need."
"Authority and place demonstrate and try the tempers of men, by moving every passion and discovering every frailty."
"The first evil those who are prone to talk suffer, is that they hear nothing."
"Euripides was wont to say, silence was an answer to a wise man; but we seem to have greater occasion for it in our dealing with fools and unreasonable persons; for men of breeding and sense will be satisfied with reason and fair words."