Plutarch Quotes
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He preferred an honest man that wooed his daughter, before a rich man. 'I would rather,' said Themistocles, 'have a man that wants money than money that wants a man.'
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When the strong box contains no more both friends and flatterers shun the door.
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Though others before him had triumphed three times, Pompeius, by having gained his first triumph over Libya, his second over Europe, and this the last over Asia, seemed in a manner to have brought the whole world into his three triumphs.
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The richest soil, if uncultivated, produces the rankest weeds.
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It is not histories I am writing, but lives; and in the most glorious deeds there is not always an indication of virtue or vice, indeed a small thing like a phrase or a jest often makes a greater revelation of a character than battles where thousands die.
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If you light upon an impertinent talker, that sticks to you like a bur, to the disappointment of your important occasions, deal freely with him, break off the discourse, and pursue your business.
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I see the cure is not worth the pain.
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Since, during storms, flames leap from the humid vapors and dark clouds emit deafening noises, is it surprising the lightning, when it strikes the ground, gives rise to truffles, which do not resemble plants?
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He (Cato) used to say that in all his life he never repented but of three things. The first was that he had trusted a woman with a secret; the second that he had gone by sea when he might have gone by land; and the third, that had passed one day without having a will by him.
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As to Caesar, when he was called upon, he gave no testimony against Clodius, nor did he affirm that he was certain of any injury done to his bed. He only said, He had divorced Pompeia because the wife of Caesar ought not only to be clear of such a crime, but of the very suspicion of it.
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Lampis, the sea commander, being asked how he got his wealth, answered, 'My greatest estate I gained easily enough, but the smaller slowly and with much labour.'
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As those that pull down private houses adjoining to the temples of the gods, prop up such parts as are contiguous to them; so, in undermining bashfulness, due regard is to be had to adjacent modesty, good-nature and humanity.
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Wickedness is a wonderfully diligent architect of misery, of shame, accompanied with terror, and commotion, and remorse, and endless perturbation.
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Remember what Simonides said,-that he never repented that he had held his tongue, but often that he had spoken.
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Courage consists not in hazarding without fear; but being resolutely minded in a just cause.
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Good fortune will elevate even petty minds, and give them the appearance of a certain greatness and stateliness, as from their high place they look down upon the world; but the truly noble and resolved spirit raises itself, and becomes more conspicuous in times of disaster and ill fortune.
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Instead of using medicine, better fast today.
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Do not speak of your happiness to one less fortunate than yourself.
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Did you not know, then, that to-day Lucullus sups with Lucullus?
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The real destroyer of the liberties of the people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations and benefits.
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Vos vestros servate, meos mihi linquite mores You keep to your own ways, and leave mine to me.
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He who least likes courting favour, ought also least to think of resenting neglect; to feel wounded at being refused a distinction can only arise from an overweening appetite to have it.
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The first evil those who are prone to talk suffer, is that they hear nothing.
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'I will show,' said Agesilaus, 'that it is not the places that grace men, but men the places.'