Martial Quotes

Service cannot be expected from a friend in service; let him be a freeman who wishes to be my master.

The flaw which is hidden is deemed greater than it is.

However great the dish that holds the turbot, the turbot is still greater than the dish.

The swan murmurs sweet strains with a flattering tongue, itself the singer of its own dirge.

Fortune gives many too much, but none enough.

Every epigram should resemble a bee; it should have sting, honey, and brevity.

A vagrant is everywhere at home.

If you are poor now, Aemilianus, you will always be poor. Riches are now given to none but the rich.

To have nothing is not poverty. [Lat., Non est paupertas, Nestor, habere nihil.]

Gifts are like fish-hooks; for who is not aware that the greedy char is deceived by the fly which he swallows?

While an ant was wandering under the shade of the tree of Phaeton, a drop of amber enveloped the tiny insect; thus she, who in life was disregarded, became precious by death.

What's a wretched man? A man whom no man pleases.

You are sad in the midst of every blessing. Take care that Fortune does not observe--or she will call you ungrateful.

You are so pure in mind and heart, In aspect, too, so mild, I wonder that you ever could Implant your wife with child.

Joys do not stay, but take wing and fly away.

You praise, in three hundred verses, Sabellus, the baths of Ponticus, who gives such excellent dinners. You wish to dine, Sabellus, not to bathe.

If you want him to mourn, you had best leave him nothing.

Life is not living, but living in health.

While you remain at home your hair is at the hairdresser's; you take out your teeth at night and sleep tucked away in a hundred cosmetics boxes - even your face does not sleep with you.

Man loves malice, but not against one-eyed men nor the unfortunate, but against the fortunate and proud.

A cook should double one sense have: for he Should taster for himself and master be.

You should not fear, nor yet should you wish for your last day.

Short is the life of those who possess great accomplishments, and seldom do they reach a good old age. Whatever thou lovest, pray that thou mayest not set too high a value on it.

Work divided is in that manner shortened.

If my opinion is of any worth, the fieldfare is the greatest delicacy among birds, the hare among quadrupeds.

Life's not just about being alive, but being well.

I seem to you cruel and too much addicted to gluttony, when I beat my cook for sending up a bad dinner. If that appears to you too trifling a cause, say for what cause you would have a cook flogged.

Every bird that upwards swings Bears the Cross upon its wings.

Be content to be what you are, and prefer nothing to it, and do not fear or wish for your last day.

What quick wit is found in sudden straits!

If you have any shame, forbear to pluck the beard of a dead lion.

That which prevents disagreeable flies from feeding on your repast, was once the proud tail of a splendid bird.

I am a shell-fish just come from being saturated with the waters of the Lucrine lake, near Baiae; but now I luxuriously thrust for noble pickle.

I do not like the man who squanders life for fame; give me the man who living makes a name. [Lat., Nolo virum facili redimit qui sanquine famam; Hunc volo laudari qui sine morte potest.]

I'm what I seem; not any dyer gave, But nature dyed this colour that I have.

See, how the liver is swollen larger than a fat goose! In amazement you will exclaim: Where could this possibly grow?

You give me nothing during your life, but you promise to provide for me at your death. If you are not a fool, you know what I wish for!

You crystal break, for fear of breaking it: Careless and careful hands like faults commit.

Who gives to friends so much from Fate secures, That is the only wealth for ever yours. [Lat., Extra fortunam est, quidquid donatur amicis; Quas dederis, selas semper habebis opes.]

One genius has made many clever artists.

Some good, some so-so, and lots plain bad: that's how a book of poems is made, my Friend.

It is as good as second life to be able to look back upon our past life with pleasure

Gifts are like hooks.

You admire, Vacerra, only the poets of old and praise only those who are dead. Pardon me, I beseech you, Vacerra, if I think death too high a price to pay for your praise.

A fisherman's walk: three steps and overboard.

If pale beans bubble for you in a red earthenware pot, you can often decline the dinners of sumptuous hosts.

I wont let a wife lead me to the altar. [I will not have a wife that shall be my master.]

Genuine is the sorrow endured without anyone else knowing about it.

You ask what a nice girl will do? She won't give an inch, but she won't say no.

Too late is tomorrow's life; live for today.