Plutarch Quotes
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For to err in opinion, though it be not the part of wise men, is at least human.
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Let a prince be guarded with soldiers, attended by councillors, and shut up in forts; yet if his thoughts disturb him, he is miserable.
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The crowns of kings do not prevent those who wear them from being tormented sometimes by violent headaches.
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I had rather men should ask why my statue is not set up, than why it is.
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Lycurgus being asked why he, who in other respects appeared to be so zealous for the equal rights of men, did not make his government democratical rather than oligarchical, "Go you," replied the legislator, "and try a democracy in your own house.
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To find fault is easy; to do better may be difficult.
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A traveller at Sparta, standing long upon one leg, said to a Lacedaemonian, "I do not believe you can do as much." "True," said he, "but every goose can."
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Vultures are the most righteous of birds: they do not attack even the smallest living creature.
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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.
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I am whatever was, or is, or will be; and my veil no mortal ever took up.
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The measure of a man is the way he bears up under misfortune.
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What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.
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It is a high distinction for a homely woman to be loved for her character rather than for beauty.
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Like the man who threw a stone at a bitch, but hit his step-mother, on which he exclaimed, 'Not so bad!'
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Using the proverb frequently in their mouths who enter upon dangerous and bold attempts, 'The die is cast,' he took the river.
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A warrior carries his shield for the sake of the entire line.
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νήπιος, ὃς τὰ ἕτοιμα λιπὼν ἀνέτοιμα διώκει
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Alexander esteemed it more kingly to govern himself than to conquer his enemies.
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Like watermen, who look astern while they row the boat ahead.
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He who reflects on another man's want of breeding, shows he wants it as much himself.
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To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future.
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Oh, what a world full of pain we create, for a little taste upon the tongue.
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Even a nod from a person who is esteemed is of more force than a thousand arguments or studied sentences from others.
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If Nature be not improved by instruction, it is blind; if instruction be not assisted by Nature, it is maimed; and if exercise fail of the assistance of both, it is imperfect.