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
eating dine knows
What, did you not know, then, that to-day Lucullus dines with Lucullus?
knaves firsts knavery
Zeno first started that doctrine, that knavery is the best defence against a knave.
work giving ease
Ease and speed in doing a thing do not give the work lasting solidity or exactness of beauty.
enemy cowardice despise
Valour, however unfortunate, commands great respect even from enemies: but the Romans despise cowardice, even though it be prosperous.
kings army thinking
Antagoras the poet was boiling a conger, and Antigonus, coming behind him as he was stirring his skillet, said, "Do you think, Antagoras, that Homer boiled congers when he wrote the deeds of Agamemnon?" Antagoras replied, "Do you think, O king, that Agamemnon, when he did such exploits, was a peeping in his army to see who boiled congers?
kings enemy said
King Agis said, "The Lacedæmonians are not wont to ask how many, but where the enemy are.
determination mind noble
A remorseful change of mind renders even a noble action base, whereas the determination which is grounded on knowledge and reason cannot change even if its actions fail.
selfish grief dishonor
Immoderate grief is selfish, harmful, brings no advantage to either the mourner or the mourned, and dishonors the dead.
plato sacrifice grace
Plato used to say to Xenocrates the philosopher, who was rough and morose, "Good Xenocrates, sacrifice to the Graces.
advice way mines
Vos vestros servate, meos mihi linquite mores You keep to your own ways, and leave mine to me
shadow action said
Democritus said, words are but the shadows of actions.
women character distinction
It is a high distinction for a homely woman to be loved for her character rather than for beauty.
elude instant offers
The present offers itself to our touch for only an instant of time and then eludes the senses.
forgetfulness
Forgetfulness transforms every occurrence into a non-occurrence.