Pliny the Elder
Pliny the Elder
Gaius Plinius Secundus, better known as Pliny the Elder, was a Roman author, naturalist, and natural philosopher, as well as naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and personal friend of the emperor Vespasian...
NationalityRoman
ProfessionAuthor
novelty human-nature humans
Human nature is fond of novelty.
suicide suicidal men
Amid the sufferings of life on earth, suicide is God's best gift to man.
snakes dragons tree
The javelin-snake amphiptere hurls itself from the branches of trees.
flames sea purple
Made up of the glories of the most precious gems, to describe them is a matter of inexpressible difficulty. For there is amongst them the gentler fire of the ruby, there is the rich purple of the amethyst, there is the sea-green of the emerald, and all shining together in an indescribable union. Others, by an excessive heightening of their hues equal all the colours of the painter, others the flame of burning brimstone, or of a fire quickened by oil.
wine vino
In wine there is health (In vino sanitas)
discovery found valuable
The most valuable discoveries have found their origin in the most trivial accidents.
simple disease sauce
Simple diet is best: for many dishes bring many diseases, and rich sauces are worse than even heaping several meats upon each other.
live-by
We live by reposing trust in each other.
envy inferiority conscious
Envy always implies conscious inferiority wherever it resides.
flames jewels color
There is in them a softer fire than the ruby, there is the brilliant purple of the amethyst, and the sea green of the emerald - all shining together in incredible union. Some by their splendor rival the colors of the painters, others the flame of burning sulphur or of fire quickened by oil.
passion envy inferiority
We ought to be guarded against every appearance of envy, as a passion that always implies inferiority wherever it resides.
simple meat sauce
Their best and most wholesome feeding is upon one dish and no more and the same plaine and simple: for surely this hudling of many meats one upon another of divers tastes is pestiferous. But sundrie sauces are more dangerous than that.
wine common vino
It has become quite a common proverb that in wine there is truth (In Vino Veritas).
income economy
Let that which is wanting in income be supplied by economy.