Plutarch Quotes
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Cato instigated the magistrates to punish all offenders, saying that they that did not prevent crimes when they might, encouraged them. Of young men, he liked them that blushed better than those who looked pale.
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Knavery is the best defense against a knave.
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As Cæsar was at supper the discourse was of death,-which sort was the best. 'That,' said he, 'which is unexpected.'
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Alcibiades had a very handsome dog, that cost him seven thousand drachmas; and he cut off his tail, 'that,' said he, 'the Athenians may have this story to tell of me, and may concern themselves no further with me.'
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When men are arrived at the goal, they should not turn back.
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Archimedes had stated, that given the force, any given weight might be moved; and even boasted that if there were another earth, by going into it he could remove this.
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It was the saying of Bion, that though the boys throw stones at frogs in sport, yet the frogs do not die in sport but in earnest.
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In his house he had a large looking-glass, before which he would stand and go through his exercises.
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According to the proverb, the best things are the most difficult.
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The great god Pan is dead.
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Cato used to assert that wise men profited more by fools than fools by wise men; for that wise men avoided the faults of fools, but that fools would not imitate the good examples of wise men.
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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.
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Athenodorus says hydrophobia, or water-dread, was first discovered in the time of Asclepiades.
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Words will build no walls.
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A friend should be like money, tried before being required, not found faulty in our need.
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I have heard that Tiberius used to say that that man was ridiculous, who after sixth years, appealed to a physician.
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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.
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It is not the most distinguished achievements that men's virtues or vices may be best discovered; but very often an action of small note. An casual remark or joke shall distinguish a person's real character more than the greatest sieges, or the most important battles.
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For man is a plant, not fixed in the earth, nor immovable, but heavenly, whose head, rising as it were from a root upwards, is turned towards heaven.
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The worship most acceptable to God comes from a thankful and cheerful heart.
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Themistocles said to Antiphales, 'Time, young man, has taught us both a lesson'.
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He is a fool who leaves things close at hand to follow what is out of reach.
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For there is no virtue, the honour and credit for which procures a man more odium from the elite than that of justice; and this, because more than any other, it acquires a man power and authority among the common people. For they only honour the valiant and admire the wise, while in addition they also love just men, and put entire trust and confidence in them.
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Barba non facit philosophum.