Plutarch Quotes
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What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.
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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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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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It is a high distinction for a homely woman to be loved for her character rather than for beauty.
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Menenius Agrippa concluded at length with the celebrated fable: 'It once happened that all the other members of a man mutinied against the stomach, which they accused as the only idle, uncontributing part in the whole body, while the rest were put to hardships and the expense of much labour to supply and minister to its appetites.'
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Alexander esteemed it more kingly to govern himself than to conquer his enemies.
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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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The measure of a man is the way he bears up under misfortune.
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To find fault is easy; to do better may be difficult.
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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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Oh, what a world full of pain we create, for a little taste upon the tongue.
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When I myself had twice or thrice made a resolute resistance unto anger, the like befell me that did the Thebans; who, having once foiled the Lacedaemonians (who before that time had held themselves invincible), never after lost so much as one battle which they fought against them.
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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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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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A warrior carries his shield for the sake of the entire line.
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Vultures are the most righteous of birds: they do not attack even the smallest living creature.
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Courage and wisdom are, indeed, rarities amongst men, but of all that is good, a just man it would seem is the most scarce.
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When Demosthenes was asked what were the three most important aspects of oratory, he answered, 'Action, Action, Action.'
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νήπιος, ὃς τὰ ἕτοιμα λιπὼν ἀνέτοιμα διώκει
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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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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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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.
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Like watermen, who look astern while they row the boat ahead.