Aulus Persius Flaccus Quotes

You follow words of the toga (language of the cultivated class). [Lat., Verba togae sequeris.]

Bad advice is often most fatal to the adviser.

He who conquers, endures.

Is any man free except the one who can pass his life as he pleases?

Your knowing a thing is nothing, unless another knows you know it.

The belly is the giver of genius.

Each man has his own desires; all do not possess the same inclinations.

The belly (i.e. necessity) is the teacher of art and the liberal bestower of wit.

It is pleasing to be pointed at with the finger and to have it said, "There goes the man." [Lat., At pulchrum est digito monstrari et dicier his est.]

Nothing can be born of nothing; nothing can be resolved into nothing.

Oh, the cares of men! how much emptiness there is in human concerns!

Quantum est in rebus inane! How much folly there is in human affairs.

Indulge, and to thy genius freely give, For not to live at ease is not to live.

Let them (the wicked) see the beauty of virtue, and pine at having forsaken her. [Lat., Virtutem videant, intabescantque relicta.]

Oh, what a void there is in things.

Thou art moist and soft clay; thou must instantly be shaped by the glowing wheel. [Lat., Udum et molle lutum es: nunc, nunc properandus et acri Fingendus sine fine rota.]

Things fit only to give weight to smoke.

The stomach is the teacher of the arts and the dispenser of invention.

For Yesterday was once To-morrow.

You pray for good health and a body that will be strong in old age. Good-but your rich foods block the gods' answer and tie Jupiter's hands.

Live according to your income.

Please not thyself the flattering crowd to hear; 'Tis fulsome stuff, to please thy itching ear. Survey thy soul, not what thou does appear, But what thou art.

Our life is our own to-day, to-morrow you will be dust, a shade, and a tale that is told. Live mindful of death; the hour flies.

But when to-morrow comes, yesterday's morrow will have been already spent: and lo! a fresh morrow will be for ever making away with our years, each just beyond our grasp.

I know you even under the skin.

Out of nothing can come, and nothing can become nothing.

O natal star, thou producest twins of widely different character. [Lat., Geminos, horoscope, varo Producis genio.]

Hunger is the teacher of the arts and the bestower of invention. -Magister artis ingenique largitor Venter

Is then thy knowledge of no value, unless another know that thou possessest that knowledge?

Retire within thyself, and thou will discover how small a stock is there. [Lat., Tecum habita, et noris quam sit tibi curta supellex.]

Each man has his fancy.

The man who wishes to bend me with his tale of woe must shed true tears - not tears that have been got ready overnight.

Check disease in its approach.

And don't consult anyone's opinions but your own.

Besides what endless brawls by wives are bred, The curtain lecture makes a mournful bed.