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
circumstances wells
He shall fare well who confronts circumstances aright.
might wells breaths
Hesiod might as well have kept his breath to cool his pottage.
tongue fool
A fool cannot hold his tongue.
courage challenges enemy
Distressed valor challenges great respect, even from an enemy.
would-be ifs
If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.
fairs candle
When the candles are out all women are fair.
merit birth fine-things
Good birth is a fine thing, but the merit is our ancestors.
justice prejudice debt
There is no debt with so much prejudice put off as that of justice.
tradition customs
Custom is almost a second nature.
oratory firsts action
When Demosthenes was asked what was the first part of Oratory, he answered, "Action," and which was the second, he replied, "action," and which was the third, he still answered "Action.
perseverance fall stones
The drop hollows out the stone not by strength, but by constant falling.
wickedness misery shame
Wickedness is a wonderfully diligent architect of misery, of shame, accompanied with terror, and commotion, and remorse, and endless perturbation.
knaves firsts knavery
Zeno first started that doctrine, that knavery is the best defence against a knave.
plato sacrifice grace
Plato used to say to Xenocrates the philosopher, who was rough and morose, "Good Xenocrates, sacrifice to the Graces.