The vows that woman makes to her fond lover are only fit to be written on air or on the swiftly passing stream.
CATULLUSLet us live, my Lesbia, and let us love. Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus
More Catullus Quotes
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There is nothing more foolish than a foolish laugh.
CATULLUS -
Better a sparrow, living or dead, than no birdsong at all.
CATULLUS -
I can imagine no greater misfortune for a cultured people than to see in the hands of the rulers not only the civil, but also the religious power.
CATULLUS -
The confounding of all right and wrong, in wild fury, has averted from us the gracious favor of the gods.
CATULLUS -
I hate and I love. Perchance you ask why I do that. I know not, but I feel that I do and I am tortured. [Lat., Odi et amo. Quare id faciam, fortasse requiris. Nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior.]
CATULLUS -
We see not our own backs.
CATULLUS -
Oh, this age! How tasteless and ill bred it is!
CATULLUS -
I write of youth, of love, and have access by these to sing of cleanly wantonness.
CATULLUS -
What woman says to fond lover should be written on air or the swift water. [Lat., Mulier cupido quod dicit amanti, In vento et rapida scribere oportet aqua.]
CATULLUS -
But you shall not escape my iambics.
CATULLUS -
I hate and love. And why, perhaps you’ll ask. I don’t know: but I feel, and I’m tormented.
CATULLUS -
What a woman says to an eager lover, write it on running water, write it on air.
CATULLUS -
Every one has his faults: but we do not see the wallet on our own backs.
CATULLUS -
My lady’s sparrow is dead, the sparrow which was my lady’s delight
CATULLUS -
Away with you, water, destruction of wine!
CATULLUS -
I hate and I love, and who can tell me why?
CATULLUS -
To whom do I give my new elegant little book? Cui dono lepidum novum libellum?
CATULLUS -
My mind’s sunk so low, Claudia, because of you, wrecked itself on your account so bad already, that I couldn’t like you if you were the best of women, -or stop loving you, no matter what you do.
CATULLUS -
Who now travels that dark path from whose bourne they say no one returns. [Lat., Qui nunc it per iter tenebricosum Illue unde negant redire quemquam.]
CATULLUS -
It is difficult to suddenly give up a long love. Difficile est longum subito deponere amorem
CATULLUS -
I hate and I love. And if you ask me how, I do not know: I only feel it, and I am torn in two.
CATULLUS -
It is difficult to lay aside a confirmed passion.
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Now Spring restores the balmy heat, now Zephyr’s sweet breezes calm the rage of the equinoctial sky.
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Godlike the man who sits at her side, who watches and catches that laughter which (softly) tears me to tatters: nothing is left of me, each time I see her.
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For the godly poet must be chaste himself, but there is no need for his verses to be so.
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So a maiden, whilst she remains untouched, so long is she dear to her own; when she has lost her chaste flower with sullied body, she remains neither lovely to boys nor dear to girls.
CATULLUS