Gladly take the gifts of the present hour and abandon serious things!

Do not try to find out - we're forbidden to know - what end the gods have in store for me, or for you.

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.

You must often make erasures if you mean to write what is worthy of being read a second time; and don't labor for the admiration of the crowd, but be content with a few choice readers.

He who feared that he would not succeed sat still.

Where there are many beauties in a poem I shall not cavil at a few faults proceeding either from negligence or from the imperfection of our nature.

Seize today and put as little trust as you can in tomorrow.