Horace Quotes

He is not poor who has the use of necessary things. [Lat., Pauper enim non est cui rerum suppetet usus.]

There are as many preferences as there are men.

Justice, though moving with tardy pace, has seldom failed to overtake the wicked in their flight. [Lat., Raro antecedentem scelestum Deseruit pede poena claudo.]

Money is to be sought for first of all; virtue after wealth. [Lat., Quaerenda pecunia primum est; virtus post nummos.]

The short span of life forbids us to spin out hope to any length. Soon will night be upon you, and the fabled Shades, and the shadowy Plutonian home.

He who would reach the desired goal must, while a boy, suffer and labor much and bear both heat and cold. [Lat., Qui studet optatam cursu coningere metam Multa tulit fecitque puer, sudavit et alsit.]

All powerful money gives birth and beauty. [Lat., Et genus et formam regina pecunia donat.]

Death is the ultimate boundary of human matters.

Limbs of a dismembered poet.

Stronger than thunder's winged force All-powerful gold can speed its course; Through watchful guards its passage make, And loves through solid walls to break.

What impropriety or limit can there be in our grief for a man so beloved?.

Shun the inquisitive person, for he is also a talker. [Lat., Percunctatorem fugito, nam garrulus idem est.]

From the egg to the apple.

What do sad complaints avail if the offense is not cut down by punishment.

Mingle some brief folly with wisdom now: To be foolish is sweet at times.

Refrain from asking what going to happen tomorrow, and everyday that fortune grants you, count as gain.

I have raised for myself a monument more durable than brass.

Welcome will arrived, the hour that was not hoped for.

I am doubting what to do.

Those who cross the sea, change sky, but not soul.

The good hate sin because they love virtue. [Lat., Oderunt peccare boni virtutis amore.]

Not worth is an example that does not solve the problem.

Despise pleasure; pleasure bought by pain in injurious.

Punishment follows close on crime.

Cease to admire the smoke, wealth, and noise of prosperous Rome.

If the crow had been satisfied to eat his prey in silence, he would have had more meat and less quarreling and envy.

Luck cannot change birth.

It is a sweet and seemly thing to die for one's country.

Seize the day, trusting as little as possible in the future.

No verse can give pleasure for long, nor last, that is written by drinkers of water.

He who is upright in his way of life and free from sin.

Many heroes lived before Agamemnon; but all are unknown and unwept, extinguished in everlasting night, because they have no spirited chronicler.

The Cadiz tribe, not used to bearing our yoke.

The mad is either insane or he is composing verses.

Jokes aside, let us turn to serious matters.

The dispute is still before the judge.

As we speak cruel time is fleeing. Seize the day, believing as little as possible in tomorrow.

Tear thyself from delay.

I want to live, and die with you.

Let us seize, friends, our opportunity from the day as it passes.

It was intended to be a vase, it has turned out a pot.

Flames too soon acquire strength if disregarded.

Doctrina sed vim promovet insitam. Instruction enlarges the natural powers of the mind.

All men do not, in fine, admire or love the same thing.

Whenever monarchs err, the people are punished. [Lat., Quidquid delirant reges, plectuntur Achivi.]

Let the fictitious sources of pleasure be as near as possible to the true.

Ridicule is often employed with more power and success than severity.

Oh! thou who are greatly mad, deign to spare me who am less mad.

Nature has no promise for society, least of all, any remedy for sin.

Dismiss the old horse in good time, lest he fail in the lists and the spectators laugh.