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
forgetfulness
Forgetfulness transforms every occurrence into a non-occurrence.
envy pleasure advantage
Our nature holds so much envy and malice that our pleasure in our own advantages is not so great as our distress at others'.
education practice blind
Nature without learning is blind, learning apart from nature is fractional, and practice in the absence of both is aimless.
character habit
Character is inured habit.
anger doors mind
Anger turns the mind out of doors and bolts the entrance.
impossible silent easy
It is easy to utter what has been kept silent, but impossible to recall what has been uttered.
envy soul disorder
Of all the disorders in the soul, envy is the only one no one confesses to.
character men giving
Sometimes small incidents, rather than glorious exploits, give us the best evidence of character. So, as portrait painters are more exact in doing the face, where the character is revealed, than the rest of the body, I must be allowed to give my more particular attention to the marks of the souls of men.
special care answers
When another is asked a question, take special care not to interrupt to answer it yourself.
warrior lines shields
A warrior carries his shield for the sake of the entire line.
pain smart confusion
Being conscious of having done a wicked action leaves stings of remorse behind it, which, like an ulcer in the flesh, makes the mind smart with perpetual wounds; for reason, which chases away all other pains, creates repentance, shames the soul with confusion, and punishes it with torment.
anger wrath fire
For he who gives no fuel to fire puts it out, and likewise he who does not in the beginning nurse his wrath and does not puff himself up with anger takes precautions against it and destroys it.
courage men evil
To do an evil action is base; to do a good action without incurring danger is common enough; but it is the part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risks every thing.
inspirational funny life
The state of life is most happy where superfluities are not required and necessities are not wanting.