There is a proper measure in all things, certain limits beyond which and short of which right is not to be found. Who so cultivates the golden mean avoids the poverty of a hovel and the envy of a palace.
HoraceThe aim of the poet is to inform or delight, or to combine together, in what he says, both pleasure and applicability to life. In instructing, be brief in what you say in order that your readers may grasp it quickly and retain it faithfully. Superfluous words simply spill out when the mind is already full. Fiction invented in order to please should remain close to reality.
HoraceWhen a man is pleased with the lot of others, he is dissatisfied with his own, as a matter of course.
HoraceThis used to be among my prayers - a piece of land not so very large, which would contain a garden
HoraceMulta ferunt anni venientes commoda secum, Multa recedentes adimiunt. (The years, as they come, bring many agreeable things with them; as they go, they take many away.)
HoraceIt is said that the propriety even of old Cato often yielded to the exciting influence of the grape.
HoraceWhat wonders does not wine! It discloses secrets; ratifies and confirms our hopes; thrusts the coward forth to battle; eases the anxious mind of its burden; instructs in arts. Whom has not a cheerful glass made eloquent! Whom not quite free and easy from pinching poverty!
HoraceOne wanders to the left, another to the right. Both are equally in error, but, are seduced by different delusions.
HoraceEnjoy thankfully any happy hour heaven may send you, nor think that your delights will keep till another year.
HoraceFor example, the tiny ant, a creature of great industry, drags with its mouth whatever it can, and adds it to the heap which she is piling up, not unaware nor careless of the future.
HoraceHow slight and insignificant is the thing which casts down or restores a mind greedy for praise.
HoraceThere are words and accents by which this grief can be assuaged, and the disease in a great measure removed.
HoraceThe power of daring anything their fancy suggest, as always been conceded to the painter and the poet.
HoraceThink of the wonders uncorked by wine! It opens secrets, gives heart to our hopes, pushes the cowardly into battle, lifts the load from anxious minds, and evokes talents. Thanks to the bottle's prompting no one is lost for words, no one who's cramped by poverty fails to find release.
HoraceThe consummate pleasure (in eating) is not in the costly flavour, but in yourself. Do you seek for sauce for sweating?
Horace