Martial Quotes

Life consists not merely in existing, but in enjoying health.

Every bird that upwards swings Bears the Cross upon its wings.

The face that cannot smile is never fair.

Rarity gives a charm; so early fruits and winter roses are the most prized; and coyness sets off an extravagant mistress, while the door always open tempts no suitor.

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

Spare the person but lash the vice.

He who prefers to give Linus the half of what he wishes to borrow, rather than to lend him the whole, prefers to lose only the half.

The flaw which is hidden is deemed greater than it is.

He who thinks that the lives of Priam and of Nestor were long is much deceived and mistaken. Life consists not in living, but in enjoying health.

A vagrant is everywhere at home.

If you have any shame, forbear to pluck the beard of a dead lion.

Nothing is more ill-timed than an ill-timed laugh.

Life is not living, but living in health.

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.

You praise, in three hundred verses, Sabellus, the baths of Ponticus, who gives such excellent dinners. You wish to dine, Sabellus, not to bathe.

Hidden evils are most dreaded.

Man loves malice, but not against one-eyed men nor the unfortunate, but against the fortunate and proud.

It is not he who forms idols in gold or marble that makes them gods, but he who kneels before them.

I know all that better than my own name.

You crystal break, for fear of breaking it: Careless and careful hands like faults commit.

What's a wretched man? A man whom no man pleases.

Be merry if you are wise.

All your female friends are either old or ugly; nay, more ugly than old women usually are. These you lead about in your train, and drag with you to feasts, porticos and theaters. Thus, Fabulla, you seem handsome, thus you seem young.

There is nothing more contemptible than a bald man who pretends to have hair.

I wont let a wife lead me to the altar. [I will not have a wife that shall be my master.]

Givers of great dinners know few enemies.

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

Those they praise, but they read the others.

A cook should double one sense have: for he Should taster for himself and master be.

You should not fear, nor yet should you wish for your last day.

If pale beans bubble for you in a red earthenware pot, you can often decline the dinners of sumptuous hosts.

He who writes distichs, wishes, I suppose, to please by brevity. But, tell me, of what avail is their brevity, when there is a whose book full of them?

She grieves sincerely who grieves unseen.

The world is blessed most by men who do things, and not by those who merely talk about them. -James Oliver 'Tomorrow I will live,' the fool does say; tomorrow itself is late; the wise live yesterday.

I have not hated the man, but his faults.

I would not miss your face, your neck, your hands, your limbs, your bosom and certain other of your charms. Indeed, not to become boring by naming them all, I could do without you, Chloe, altogether.

Tis easy to write epigrams nicely, but to write a book is hard.

While an ant was wandering under the shade of the tree of Phaeton, a drop of amber enveloped the tiny insect; thus she, who in life was disregarded, became precious by death.

Be content to be what you are, and prefer nothing to it, and do not fear or wish for your last day.

Wine and women bring misery.

Epigrams need no crier, but are content with their own tongue.

When your crowd of attendants so loudly applaud you, Pomponius, it is not you, but your banquet, that is eloquent.