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Plutarch
225 quotes
“ἀρετή τοι δυστυχοῦσι μεγάλην ἔχει μοῖραν αἰδοῦς καὶ παρὰ πολεμίοις, δειλία δὲ Ῥωμαίοις κἂν εὐποτμῇ πάντων ἀτιμότατον.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“ὁρᾶτ᾿" εἶπεν "ἄνδρες σύμμαχοι τὴν ἐπιμονὴν ἀνυσιμωτέραν τῆς βίας οὖσαν καὶ πολλὰ τῶν ἀθρόως ἀλήπτων ἐνδιδόντα τῷ κατὰ μικρόν.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“ὃ δὲ δοκεῖ μάλιστα καὶ λέγεται τρόπον ἀνδρὸς ἐπιδεικνύναι καὶ βασανίζειν, ἐξουσία καὶ ἀρχὴ πᾶν πάθος κινοῦσα καὶ πᾶσαν ἀποκαλύπτουσα κακίαν.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“τόν γε σοφώτατον οὐχ ἁμαρτήσεται σύμβουλον ἀναμείνας, χρόνον.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Ἡ ἀνάπαυσις τῶν πόνων ἐστὶν ἄρτυμα.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The great god Pan is dead.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“He is a fool who lets slip a bird in the hand for a bird in the bush.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The mind is not a vessel that needs filling, but wood that needs igniting.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Scilurus on his death-bed, being about to leave four-score sons surviving, offered a bundle of darts to each of them, and bade them break them. When all refused, drawing out one by one, he easily broke them,—thus teaching them that if they held together, they would continue strong; but if they fell out and were divided, they would become weak.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Dionysius the Elder, being asked whether he was at leisure, he replied, "God forbid that it should ever befall me!”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A prating barber asked Archelaus how he would be trimmed. He answered, "In silence.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When Philip had news brought him of divers and eminent successes in one day, "O Fortune!" said he, "for all these so great kindnesses do me some small mischief.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There were two brothers called Both and Either; perceiving Either was a good, understanding, busy fellow, and Both a silly fellow and good for little, Philip said, "Either is both, and Both is neither.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Philip being arbitrator betwixt two wicked persons, he commanded one to fly out of Macedonia and the other to pursue him.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Being about to pitch his camp in a likely place, and hearing there was no hay to be had for the cattle, "What a life," said he, "is ours, since we must live according to the convenience of asses!”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“These Macedonians," said he, "are a rude and clownish people, that call a spade a spade.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“He made one of Antipater's recommendation a judge; and perceiving afterwards that his hair and beard were coloured, he removed him, saying, "I could not think one that was faithless in his hair could be trusty in his deeds.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Being nimble and light-footed, his father encouraged him to run in the Olympic race. "Yes," said he, "if there were any kings there to run with me.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When Darius offered him ten thousand talents, and to divide Asia equally with him, "I would accept it," said Parmenio, "were I Alexander." "And so truly would I," said Alexander, "if I were Parmenio." But he answered Darius that the earth could not bear two suns, nor Asia two kings.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When he was wounded with an arrow in the ankle, and many ran to him that were wont to call him a god, he said smiling, "That is blood, as you see, and not, as Homer saith, ‘such humour as distils from blessed gods.'”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Aristodemus, a friend of Antigonus, supposed to be a cook's son, advised him to moderate his gifts and expenses. "Thy words," said he, "Aristodemus, smell of the apron.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Thrasyllus the Cynic begged a drachm of Antigonus. "That," said he, "is too little for a king to give." "Why, then," said the other, "give me a talent." "And that," said he, "is too much for a Cynic (or, for a dog) to receive.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Antagoras the poet was boiling a conger, and Antigonus, coming behind him as he was stirring his skillet, said, "Do you think, Antagoras, that Homer boiled congers when he wrote the deeds of Agamemnon?" Antagoras replied, "Do you think, O king, that Agamemnon, when he did such exploits, was a peeping in his army to see who boiled congers?”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Pyrrhus said, "If I should overcome the Romans in another fight, I were undone.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Themistocles being asked whether he would rather be Achilles or Homer, said, "Which would you rather be,—a conqueror in the Olympic games, or the crier that proclaims who are conquerors?”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“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.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“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.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Being summoned by the Athenians out of Sicily to plead for his life, Alcibiades absconded, saying that that criminal was a fool who studied a defence when he might fly for it.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Lamachus chid a captain for a fault; and when he had said he would do so no more, "Sir," said he, "in war there is no room for a second miscarriage." Said one to Iphicrates, "What are ye afraid of?" "Of all speeches," said he, "none is so dishonourable for a general as ‘I should not have thought of it.'”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“To Harmodius, descended from the ancient Harmodius, when he reviled Iphicrates [a shoemaker's son] for his mean birth, "My nobility," said he, "begins in me, but yours ends in you.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Once when Phocion had delivered an opinion which pleased the people,… he turned to his friend and said, "Have I not unawares spoken some mischievous thing or other?”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Phocion compared the speeches of Leosthenes to cypress-trees. "They are tall," said he, "and comely, but bear no fruit.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Lycurgus the Lacedæmonian brought long hair into fashion among his countrymen, saying that it rendered those that were handsome more beautiful, and those that were deformed more terrible. To one that advised him to set up a democracy in Sparta, "Pray," said Lycurgus, "do you first set up a democracy in your own house.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“King Agis said, "The Lacedæmonians are not wont to ask how many, but where the enemy are.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Lysander said, "Where the lion's skin will not reach, it must be pieced with the fox's.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“To one that promised to give him hardy cocks that would die fighting, "Prithee," said Cleomenes, "give me cocks that will kill fighting.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, "This is a wonderful speech," said he; "but he that saith it never heard the sound of trumpets.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A soldier told Pelopidas, "We are fallen among the enemies." Said he, "How are we fallen among them more than they among us?”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Cato the elder wondered how that city was preserved wherein a fish was sold for more than an ox.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“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.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Cato requested old men not to add the disgrace of wickedness to old age, which was accompanied with many other evils.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“He said they that were serious in ridiculous matters would be ridiculous in serious affairs.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Cicero said loud-bawling orators were driven by their weakness to noise, as lame men to take horse.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“After the battle in Pharsalia, when Pompey was fled, one Nonius said they had seven eagles left still, and advised to try what they would do. "Your advice," said Cicero, "were good if we were to fight jackdaws.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“After he routed Pharnaces Ponticus at the first assault, he wrote thus to his friends: "I came, I saw, I conquered.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“As Cæsar was at supper the discourse was of death,—which sort was the best. "That," said he, "which is unexpected.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“As Athenodorus was taking his leave of Cæsar, "Remember," said he, "Cæsar, whenever you are angry, to say or do nothing before you have repeated the four-and-twenty letters to yourself.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Young men," said Cæsar, "hear an old man to whom old men hearkened when he was young.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Socrates thought that if all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap, whence every one must take an equal portion, most persons would be contented to take their own and depart.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Diogenes the Cynic, when a little before his death he fell into a slumber, and his physician rousing him out of it asked him whether anything ailed him, wisely answered, "Nothing, sir; only one brother anticipates another,—Sleep before Death.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source