Let us never adopt the maxim, Rather lose our friend than our jest.
QUINTILIANLet us never adopt the maxim, Rather lose our friend than our jest.
QUINTILIANWhile we are examining into everything we sometimes find truth where we least expected it.
QUINTILIANThat which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes.
QUINTILIANThough ambition may be a fault in itself, it is often the mother of virtues.
QUINTILIANIn a crowd, on a journey, at a banquet even, a line of thought can itself provide its own seclusion.
QUINTILIANThe soul languishing in obscurity contracts a kind of rust, or abandons itself to the chimera of presumption; for it is natural for it to acquire something, even when separated from any one.
QUINTILIANWhile we ponder when to begin, it becomes too late to do.
QUINTILIANHe who speaks evil only differs from his who does evil in that he lacks opportunity.
QUINTILIANNothing is more dangerous to men than a sudden change of fortune.
QUINTILIANA great part of art consists in imitation. For the whole conduct of life is based on this: that what we admire in others we want to do ourselves.
QUINTILIANForbidden pleasures alone are loved immoderately; when lawful, they do not excite desire.
QUINTILIANThe learned understand the reason of art; the unlearned feel the pleasure.
QUINTILIANThe obscurity of a writer is generally in proportion to his incapacity.
QUINTILIANIt seldom happens that a premature shoot of genius ever arrives at maturity.
QUINTILIANA mediocre speech supported by all the power of delivery will be more impressive than the best speech unaccompanied by such power.
QUINTILIANThe gifts of nature are infinite in their variety, and mind differs from mind almost as much as body from body.
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