Pliny Quotes

When collapse is imminent, the little rodents flee.

Necessity, that excellent master, hath taught me many things.

The only thing man knows instinctively is how to weep.

True happiness consists in being considered deserving of it.

We live by reposing trust in each other.

The most valuable discoveries have found their origin in the most trivial accidents.

Nature makes us buy her presents at the price of so many sufferings that it is doubtful whether she deserves most the name of parent or stepmother.

A dear bargain is always disagreeable, particularly as it is a reflection upon the buyer's judgment.

In comparing various authors with one another, I have discovered that some of the gravest and latest writers have transcribed, word for word, from former works, without making acknowledgment.

Many dishes bring many diseases.

Cats too, with what silent stealthiness, with what light steps do they creep up to a bird!

Let that which is wanting in income be supplied by economy.

The enjoyments of this life are not equal to its evils.

In the literary as well as military world, most powerful abilities will often be found concealed under a rustic garb.

We listen with deep interest to what we hear, for to man novelty is ever charming.

A god cannot procure death for himself, even if he wished it, which, so numerous are the evils of life, has been granted to man as our chief good.

The happier the moment the shorter.

Man naturally yearns for novelty.

Example is the softest and least invidious way of commanding.

Now, that the sovereign power and deity, whatsoever it is, should have regard of mankind, is a toy and vanity worthy to be laughed at.

Wine takes away reason, engenders insanity, leads to thousands of crimes, and imposes such an enormous expense on nations.

It is ridiculous to suppose that the great head of things, whatever it be, pays any regard to human affairs.

Human nature craves novelty.

Nothing which we can imagine about Nature is incredible.

It [the earth] alone remains immoveable, whilst all things revolve round it.

Why is it that we entertain the belief that for every purpose odd numbers are the most effectual?

No mortal man, moreover is wise at all moments.

The living voice is that which sways the soul.

Everyone must be given something he can grasp and recognize as his own idea.

Fear is a feeling that is stronger than love.

They enhance the value of their favors by the words with which they are accompanied.

He [Pliny the Elder] used to say that 'no book [etc] was so bad but some good might be got out of it'.

True glory consists in doing what deserves to be written, in writing what deserves to be read, and in so living as to make the world happier and better for our living in it.

There is no book so bad it does not contain something good.

Out of Africa, there is always something new.

Nullus est liber tam malus ut non aliqua parte prosit - There is no book so bad that it is not profitable on some part.

It is best not to be born or to die as soon as possible.

Prosperity tries the fortunate adversity the great.

Shoemaker stick to your last.

The only certainty is that nothing is certain.

In vino Veritas. (In wine there is truth.)

The longest day is soon ended.

Poets have a license to lie.