More from Martial
Spare the person but lash the vice.
MartialMartial I’m what I seem; not any dyer gave, But nature dyed this colour that I have.
MartialMartial Some good, some so-so, and lots plain bad: that’s how a book of poems is made, my Friend.
MartialMartial Can the fish love the fisherman?
MartialMartial Tis easy to write epigrams nicely, but to write a book is hard.
MartialMartial For wealth’s now given to none but to the rich.
MartialMartial Red-haired, black-lipped, club-footed, and blink-eyed; if you’re a good man, you’re a wonder!
MartialMartial Why do I not kiss you, Philaenis? you are bald. Why do I not kiss you, Philaenis? you are carrotty. Why do I not kiss you, Philaenis? you are one-eyed. He who kisses you, Philaenis, sins against nature.
MartialMartial The virtuous man is never a novice in worldly things.
MartialMartial She grieves sincerely who grieves unseen.
MartialMartial You crystal break, for fear of breaking it: Careless and careful hands like faults commit.
MartialMartial You’re obstinate, pliant, merry, morose, all at once. For me there’s no living with you, or without you.
MartialMartial Rarity gives a charm; so early fruits and winter roses are the most prized; and coyness sets off an extravagant mistress, while the door always open tempts no suitor.
MartialMartial Man loves malice, but not against one-eyed men nor the unfortunate, but against the fortunate and proud.
MartialMartial Gifts are like fish-hooks; for who is not aware that the greedy char is deceived by the fly which he swallows?
MartialMartial It is as good as second life to be able to look back upon our past life with pleasure.
MartialMartial
Original quotes
From our community writers
And that is how time heals, not by erasing but by blurring all the memories.
VesmirVesmir Let me follow my dream. Let me follow my queen.
Moses AlexanderMoses Alexander Be kind to yourself, the way you would be to someone you love.
Courtney PeppernellCourtney Peppernell We need to surrender ourselves to the water before we can climb the spiral ladder.
Nikol MejdnNikol Mejdn You gave me the courage to rise but my darling robin why did you fly leaving me behind these four walls all alone?
Ophelia ScarlettOphelia Scarlett Giving up your dreams is easy, but ask yourself is it really easy to live without dreams?
Sania AbbasSania Abbas It’s funny how we say a person ‘made’ us when they actually broke us. Sort of like how I say ‘funny’ – but I actually mean sad.
Ranata SuzukiRanata Suzuki You can’t keep living backwards – Reminiscing on what was, And terrified to pursue What could be.
J.S BrownJ.S Brown
Meet the writers
More on oneself
Hurry is the mark of a weak mind, dispatch of a strong one.
Charles Caleb ColtonCharles Caleb Colton By the work one knows the workman.
Jean de La FontaineJean de La Fontaine A lawful kiss is never worth as much as a stolen one.
Guy de MaupassantGuy de Maupassant Most wonderful of all are words, and how they make friends one with another.
O. HenryO. Henry Every time I fill a vacant office, I make ten malcontents and one ingrate.
Louis XIVLouis XIV Nature made the day for exercise, work and seeing to one’s business; and … it provides us with a candle, which is to say the bright and joyous light of the sun.
Francois RabelaisFrancois Rabelais Whatever you want to say, there is only one word to express it, only one verb to give it movement, only one adjective to qualify it.
Guy de MaupassantGuy de Maupassant The finest victory is to conquer one’s own heart.
Jean de La FontaineJean de La Fontaine