Ovid
Ovid
Publius Ovidius Naso, known as Ovid in the English-speaking world, was a Roman poet who lived during the reign of Augustus. He was a contemporary of the older Virgil and Horace with whom he is often ranked as one of the three canonical poets of Latin literature. The Imperial scholar Quintilian considered him the last of the Latin love elegists. He enjoyed enormous popularity, but, in one of the mysteries of literary history, he was sent by Augustus into exile...
NationalityRoman
ProfessionPoet
promise rich harm
See that you promise: what harm is there in promise? In promises anyone can be rich.
heart hands mind
For in this strange anatomy we wear, the head has greater powers than the hand; the spirit, heart, and mind are over all.
years fleeting deceiving
Winged time glides on insensibly, and deceive us; and there is nothing more fleeting than years.
unhappy causes prisoner
Tis base to plead the unhappy prisoner's cause, With eloquence that's bought.
poetry letters jest
I have never injured anybody with a mordant poem; my verse contains charges against nobody. Ingenuous, I have shunned wit steeped in venom--not a letter of mine is dipped in poisonous jest.
cheating joy profit
Grant me profits only, grant me the joy of profit made, and see to it that I enjoy cheating the buyer!
strong law way
The purpose of law is to prevent the strong always having their way.
success succeed
Either attempt it not, or succeed.
delight ancient born
Let ancient times delight other folk, I rejoice that I was not born till now.
friendship believe names
Friendship is but a name, faith is an empty name. Alas, it is not safe to praise to a friend the object of your love; as soon as he believes your praises, he slips into your place.
wise wisdom may
If the subject's easy we may all be wise; What stands unfirm, the smallest force overthrows.
hands fire may
Nothing aids which may not also injure us. Fire serves us well, but he who plots to burn His neighbor's roof arms his hands with fire.
pain grieving punishment
With patience bear what pains you have deserved, Grieve, if you will, over what's unmerited.
prayer future feet
When worse may yet befall, there's room for prayer, But when our fortune's at its lowest ebb, We trample fear beneath our feet, and live Without a fear of evil yet to come.