Generosity during life is a very different thing from generosity in the hour of death; one proceeds from genuine liberality, and benevolence; the other from pride or fear, or from the fact that you cannot take your money with you to the other world.

Of no day can the retrospect cause pain to a good man.

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

The swifter hand doth the swift words outrun: Before the tongue hath spoke the hand hath done.

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

Do you ask why I am unwilling to marry a rich wife? It is because I am unwilling to be taken to husband by my wife. The mistress of the house should be subordinate to her husband, for in no other way, Priscus, will the wife and husband be on an equality.

There is no glory in outstripping donkeys.