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
greek shields empires
Come back with your shield - or on it
failure failing harm
To fail to do good is as bad as doing harm.
feelings speak reason
Reason speaks and feeling bites
two oracles too-much
There are two sentences inscribed upon the Ancient oracle... "Know thyself" and "Nothing too much"; and upon these all other precepts depend.
learning men lame
It is a true proverb, that if you live with a lame man, you will learn to limp.
time numbers long
It is no great wonder if in long process of time, while fortune takes her course hither and thither, numerous coincidences should spontaneously occur. If the number and variety of subjects to be wrought upon be infinite, it is all the more easy for fortune, with such an abundance of material, to effect this similarity of results.
kings inspiration water
And Archimedes, as he was washing, thought of a manner of computing the proportion of gold in King Hiero's crown by seeing the water flowing over the bathing-stool. He leaped up as one possessed or inspired, crying, "I have found it! Eureka!".
medicine today using-me
Instead of using medicine, better fast today.
philosophical animal flesh
Note that the eating of flesh is not only physically against nature, but it also makes us spiritually coarse and gross by reason of satiety and surfeit.
courage challenges enemy
Distressed valor challenges great respect, even from an enemy.
kings army greek
While Leonidas was preparing to make his stand, a Persian envoy arrived. The envoy explained to Leonidas the futility of trying to resist the advance of the Great King's army and demanded that the Greeks lay down their arms and submit to the might of Persia. Leonidas laconically told Xerxes, "Come and get them.
war fighting delight
The poor go to war, to fight and die for the delights, riches, and superfluities of others.
life men practice
Moral habits, induced by public practices, are far quicker in making their way into men's private lives, than the failings and faults of individuals are in infecting the city at large.
friendship strong money
When the strong box contains no more both friends and flatterers shun the door.