Better a sparrow, living or dead, than no birdsong at all.
CATULLUSWhat a woman says to an eager lover, write it on running water, write it on air.
More Catullus Quotes
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My lady’s sparrow is dead, the sparrow which was my lady’s delight
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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.
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Away with you, water, destruction of wine!
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There is nothing more foolish than a foolish laugh.
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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.]
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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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It is difficult to suddenly give up a long love. Difficile est longum subito deponere amorem
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But you shall not escape my iambics.
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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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It is difficult to lay aside a confirmed passion.
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I hate and love. And why, perhaps you’ll ask. I don’t know: but I feel, and I’m tormented.
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Stop wishing to merit anyone’s gratitude or thinking that anyone can become grateful.
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There is nothing more silly than a silly laugh.
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Let us live, my Lesbia, and let us love. Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus
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What a woman says to an eager lover, write it on running water, write it on air.
CATULLUS