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
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.
wise men festivals
For the wise man, every day is a festival.
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.
memories may painful
Rather I fear on the contrary that while we banish painful thoughts we may banish memory as well.
men wife world
Foreign lady once remarked to the wife of a Spartan commander that the women of Sparta were the only women in the world who could rule men. "We are the only women who raise men," the Spartan lady replied....
children study whipping
Children are to be won to follow liberal studies by exhortations and rational motives, and on no account to be forced thereto by whipping.
would-be ifs
If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.
might wells breaths
Hesiod might as well have kept his breath to cool his pottage.
happiness lying men
We rich men count our felicity and happiness to lie in these superfluities, and not in those necessary things.
lamps argument witness
Demosthenes, when taunted by Pytheas that all his arguments "smelled of the lamp," replied, "Yes, but your lamp and mine, my friend, do not witness the same labours.