Horace

The man is either mad, or he is making verses.

When a man is just and firm in his purpose, the citizens burning to approve a wrong or the frowning looks of a tyrant. Do not shake his fixed mind, nor the Southwind. Wild lord of the uneasy Adriatic, nor the thunder in the mighty hand of Jove: Should the heavens crack and tumble down, as the ruins crushed him he would not fear.

Subdue your passion or it will subdue you.

Your own safety is at stake when your neighbor’s wall is ablaze.

To have a great man for a friend seems pleasant to those who have never tried it; those who have, fear it.

Strange – is it not? That of the myriads who Before us passed the door of Darkness through, Not one returns to tell us of the road Which to discover we must travel too.

People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, make them.

If you develop rules, never have more than ten.

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.

Fortune is like the market, where, many times, if you can stay a little, the price will fall.

Every reform was once a private opinion, and when it shall be a private opinion again, it will solve the problem of the age.

Knowledge is the treasure, but judgment is the treasurer of the one who is wise.

All excess is ill, but drunkenness is of the worst sort. It spoils health, dismounts the mind, and unmans men. It reveals secrets, is quarrelsome, lascivious, impudent, dangerous and bad.

All the reasonings of men are not worth one sentiment of women.

The egoism which enters into our theories does not affect their sincerity; rather, the more our egoism is satisfied, the more robust is our belief.

He who waits to do a great deal of good at once, will never do anything.

In his private heart no man much respects himself.

The hottest love has the coldest end.

If we win, nobody will care. If we lose, there will be nobody to care.

This merriment of parsons is mighty offensive.

We know there is intention and purpose in the universe, because there is intention and purpose in us.