Catullus Quotes

Gaius Valerius Catullus was a Latin poet of the late Roman Republic who wrote chiefly in the neoteric style of poetry, which is about personal life rather than classical heroes. His surviving works are still read widely and continue to influence poetry and other forms of art.

I hate and love. And why, perhaps you’ll ask. I don’t know: but I feel, and I’m tormented.

Catullus
- Love
- Hate
- Feels
For the godly poet must be chaste himself, but there is no need for his verses to be so.

Catullus
- Needs
- Poet
- Verses

The vows that woman makes to her fond lover are only fit to be written on air or on the swiftly passing stream.

Catullus
- Air
- Lovers
- Fit
Brother, hello and good-bye. Frater, ave atque vale

Catullus
- Brother
- Hello
Away with you, water, destruction of wine!

Catullus
- Water
- Wine
- Destruction
I hate and I love. Perchance you ask why I do that. I know not, but I feel that I do and I am tortured.

Catullus
- Love
- Hate
- Hatred
It is difficult to lay aside a confirmed passion.

Catullus
- Passion
- Difficult
I hate and love. You ask, perhaps, how can that be? I know not, but I feel the agony.

Catullus
- Love
- Hate
- Feels

My mind's sunk so low, Claudia, because of you, wrecked itself on your account so bad already, that I couldn't like you if you were the best of women, -or stop loving you, no matter what you do.

Catullus
- Mind
- Accounts
- Lows
To whom do I give my new elegant little book? Cui dono lepidum novum libellum?

Catullus
- Book
I hate and I love, and who can tell me why?

Catullus
- Hate
There is nothing more foolish than a foolish laugh. Risu inepto res ineptior nulla est

Catullus
- Foolish
Let us live, my Lesbia, and let us love. Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus

Catullus
- Love