Horace
Horace
Quintus Horatius Flaccus, known in the English-speaking world as Horace, was the leading Roman lyric poet during the time of Augustus. The rhetorician Quintilian regarded his Odes as just about the only Latin lyrics worth reading: "He can be lofty sometimes, yet he is also full of charm and grace, versatile in his figures, and felicitously daring in his choice of words."...
NationalityRoman
ProfessionPoet
beautiful all-things
All things considered, nothing is beautiful.
wise war men
In peace, a wise man makes preparations for war.
speak difficult universal
It is difficult to speak of the universal specifically.
folks small-things
Small things become small folks.
horse car where-you-are
The horse would plough, the ox would drive the car. No; do the work you know, and tarry where you are.
mind spills superfluous
Superfluous words simply spill out when the mind is already full.
art stupid wine
O drink is mighty! secrets it unlocks, Turns hope to fact, sets cowards on to box, Takes burdens from the careworn, finds out parts In stupid folks, and teaches unknown arts. What tongue hangs fire when quickened by the bowl? What wretch so poor but wine expands his soul?
secret virtue pleasure
If virtue holds the secret, don't defer; Be off with pleasure, and be on with her.
too-much pleasure good-things
Take too much pleasure in good things, you'll feel The shock of adverse fortune makes you reel.
fall grief passion
Joy, grief, desire or fear, whate'er the name The passion bears, its influence is the same; Where things exceed your hope or fall below, You stare, look blank, grow numb from top to toe.
punishment terrible pursue
Do not pursue with the terrible scourge him who deserves a slight whip. [Lat., Ne scutica dignum horribili sectere flagello.]
heaven destroyed my-friends
By heaven you have destroyed me, my friends!
laughter my-friends
Can you restrain your laughter, my friends?
opportunity may lasts
Catch the opportunity while it lasts, and rely not on what the morrow may bring.