Cato the Elder Quotes

An angry man opens his mouth and shuts his eyes.

From lightest words sometimes the direst quarrel springs.

Tis sometimes the height of wisdom to feign stupidity.

The worst ruler is one who cannot rule himself.

Between the mouth and the morsel many things may happen.

The public has more interest in the punishment of an injury than he who receives it.

An orator is a good man who is skilled in speaking.

It is a difficult matter to argue with the belly since it has no ears.

He who fears death has already lost the life he covets.

Wise men learn more from fools than fools from the wise.

Patience is the greatest of all virtues.

Suffer women once to arrive at an equality with you, and they will from that moment become your superiors.

Lighter is the wound foreseen.

Furthermore, I think Carthage must be destroyed.

After I am dead, I would rather have men ask why Cato has no monument than why he had one.

We cannot control the evil tongues of others; but a good life enables us to disregard them.

Farming, if you do one thing late, you will be late in all your work.

Woman is a violent and uncontrolled animal, and it is useless to let go the reins and then expect her not to kick over the traces. You must keep her on a tight rein . . . Women want total freedom or rather - to call things by their names - total licence. If you allow them to achieve complete equality with men, do you think they will be easier to live with? Not at all. Once they have achieved equality, they will be your masters . . .

Moreover, I consider that Carthage should be destroyed.

Grasp the subject, the words will follow.

Cessation of work is not accompanied by cessation of expenses

He is nearest to the gods who knows how to be silent.

Buy not what you want, but what you have need of; what you do not want is dear at a farthing.

Speech is the gift of all, but the thought of few.

Wise men profit more from fools than fools from wise men; for the wise men shun the mistakes of fools, but fools do not imitate the successes of the wise.

I prefer to do right and get no thanks than to do wrong and receive no punishment.

Those who are serious in ridiculous matters will be ridiculous in serious matters.

There is a wide difference between true courage and a mere contempt of life.

Even though work stops, expenses run on.

I think the first virtue is to restrain the tongue; he approaches nearest to gods who knows how to be silent, even though he is in the right.

After I'm dead I'd rather have people ask why I have no monument than why I have one.

The hero saves us. Praise the hero! Now, who will save us from the hero?

Anger so clouds the mind that it cannot perceive the truth.

If you are ruled by mind you are a king; if by body, a slave.

I can pardon everybody's mistakes except my own.

Be firm or mild as the occasion may require.