We excuse our sloth under the pretext of difficulty.
QUINTILIANThere is no one who would not rather appear to know than to be taught.
More Quintilian Quotes
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Fear of the future is worse than one’s present fortune.
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The pretended admission of a fault on our part creates an excellent impression.
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The obscurity of a writer is generally in proportion to his incapacity.
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Where evil habits are once settled, they are more easily broken than mended.
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While we are making up our minds as to when we shall begin. The opportunity is lost.
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Though ambition in itself is a vice, yet it is often the parent of virtues.
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It is the nurse that the child first hears, and her words that he will first attempt to imitate.
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A liar must have a good memory.
QUINTILIAN -
A man who tries to surpass another may perhaps succeed in equaling in not actually surpassing him, but one who merely follows can never quite come up with him: a follower, necessarily, is always behind.
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A Woman who is generous with her money is to be praised; not so, if she is generous with her person.
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A mediocre speech supported by all the power of delivery will be more impressive than the best speech unaccompanied by such power.
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We should not speak so that it is possible for the audience to understand us, but so that it is impossible for them to misunderstand us.
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The prosperous can not easily form a right idea of misery.
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For it would have been better that man should have been born dumb, nay, void of all reason, rather than that he should employ the gifts of Providence to the destruction of his neighbor.
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If you direct your whole thought to work itself, none of the things which invade eyes or ears will reach the mind.
QUINTILIAN