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.

Give me a thousand kisses, then a hundred, then a thousand more.

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

Catullus
- Needs
- Poet
- Verses

I can imagine no greater misfortune for a cultured people than to see in the hands of the rulers not only the civil, but also the religious power.

Catullus
It is difficult to lay aside a confirmed passion.

Catullus
- Passion
- Difficult
Away with you, water, destruction of wine!

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

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

Catullus
- Foolish