Horace Quotes

Anger is short-lived madness.

Wherever the storm carries me, I go a willing guest.

Every school boy and school girl who has arrived at the age of reflection ought to know something about the history of the art of printing.

Fortune makes a fool of those she favors too much.

The earth flourishes, or is overrun with noxious weeds and brambles, as we apply or withhold the cultivating hand. So fares it with the intellectual system of man.

We do ourselves the most good doing something for others.

Great books are written for Christianity much oftener than great deeds are done for it. City libraries tell us of the reign of Jesus Christ but city streets tell us of the reign of Satan.

Virtue consists in fleeing vice.

Ten men have failed from defect in morals, where one has failed from defect in intellect.

Not even piety will stay wrinkles, nor the encroachments of age, nor the advance of death, which cannot be resisted.

A stomach that is seldom empty despises common food. [Lat., Jejunus raro stomachus vulgaria temnit.]

Keep one thing in view forever- the truth; and if you do this, though it may seem to lead you away from the opinion of men, it will assuredly conduct you to the throne of God.

Good sense is both the first principal and the parent source of good writing.

Don't yield to that alluring witch, laziness, or else be prepared to surrender all that you have won in your better moments.

The earth opens impartially her bosom to receive the beggar and the prince.

I myself think that to have a cat is more important than to have a Bible.

Nothing is too high for the daring of mortals: we storm heaven itself in our folly.

Zen is the unsymbolization of the world.

Remember to be calm in adversity.

Live as with God; and, whatever be your calling, pray for the gift that will perfectly qualify you in it.

He who has lost his money-belt will go where you wish.

Because a fellow has failed once or twice or a dozen times, you don't want to set him down as a failure till he's dead or loses his courage.

We often repent of our first thoughts, and scarce ever of our second.

It is not necessary for all men to be great in action. The greatest and sublimest power is often simple patience.

Wisdom at times is found in folly.

History is a romance that is believed; romance, a history that is not believed.

Half is done when the beginning is done.

Basically my influences have been American influences. It's been blues, gospel, swing era music, bebop music, Broadway show music, classical music.

We rarely find anyone who can say he has lived a happy life, and who, content with his life, can retire from the world like a satisfied guest.

Mystery is the wisdom of blockheads.

I teach that all men are mad.

If any man seeks for greatness, let him forget greatness and ask for truth, and he will find both.

What is essential is not the answer but the questions; the answers indeed are the death of the life that is in the questions.

Regarding R. H. Blyth: For translations, the best books are still those by R. H. Blyth. . . .

As all truth is from God, it necessarily follows that true science and true religion can never be at variance.

Whatever you want to teach, be brief.

Fools through false shame, conceal their open wounds.

Gold will be slave or master.

You may be liberal in your praise where praise is due: it costs nothing; it encourages much.

Avoid inquisitive persons, for they are sure to be gossips, their ears are open to hear, but they will not keep what is entrusted to them.

We are often deterred from crime by the disgrace of others.

Mr. Lincoln is already defeated. He cannot be re-elected.

Mingle a little folly with your wisdom; a little nonsense now and then is pleasant. [Lat., Misce stultitiam consiliis brevem: Dulce est desipere in loco.

It is hard! But what can not be removed, becomes lighter through patience.

Busy idleness urges us on.

Plot, rules, nor even poetry, are not half so great beauties in tragedy or comedy as a just imitation of nature, of character, of the passions and their operations in diversified situations.

Regarding R. H. Blyth: Blyth is sometimes perilous, naturally, since he's a high-handed old poem himself, but he's also sublime - and who goes to poetry for safety anyway.

Punishment closely follows guilt as its companion.

True glory is a flame lighted at the skies.

To please great men is not the last degree of praise.