Plutarch
Plutarch
Plutarch; c. AD 46 – AD 120) was a Greek historian, biographer, and essayist, known primarily for his Parallel Lives and Moralia. He is classified as a Middle Platonist. Plutarch's surviving works were written in Greek, but intended for both Greek and Roman readers...
NationalityGreek
ProfessionPhilosopher
life men measure-of-a-man
The measure of a man's life is the well spending of it, and not the length.
art philosophy art-of-living
Philosophy is the art of living.
wise popularity please
To please the many is to displease the wise.
luxury mind use
Poverty is dishonorable, not in itself, but when it is a proof of laziness, intemperance, luxury, and carelessness; whereas in a person that is temperate, industrious, just and valiant, and who uses all his virtues for the public good, it shows a great and lofty mind.
character giving flattery
It is no flattery to give a friend a due character; for commendation is as much the duty of a friend as reprehension.
merit praise greedy
Those are greedy of praise prove that they are poor in merit.
able made disgrace
It is no disgrace not to be able to do everything; but to undertake, or pretend to do, what you are not made for, is not only shameful, but extremely troublesome and vexatious.
passion rage effects
When one is transported by rage, it is best to observe attentively the effects on those who deliver themselves over to the same passion.
envy matter ink
When malice is joined to envy, there is given forth poisonous and feculent matter, as ink from the cuttle-fish.
ears gluttony belly
The belly has no ears.
heart hearing consideration
The human heart becomes softened by hearing of instances of gentleness and consideration.
house humanity temples
As those that pull down private houses adjoining to the temples of the gods, prop up such parts as are contiguous to them; so, in undermining bashfulness, due regard is to be had to adjacent modesty, good-nature and humanity.
children mind stamps
As soft wax is apt to take the stamp of the seal, so are the minds of young children to receive the instruction imprinted on them.
soldier shut-up miserable
Let a prince be guarded with soldiers, attended by councillors, and shut up in forts; yet if his thoughts disturb him, he is miserable.