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
I hate and love. And why, perhaps you’ll ask. I don’t know: but I feel, and I’m tormented.
More Catullus Quotes
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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 -
What a woman says to an eager lover, write it on running water, write it on air.
CATULLUS -
The vows that woman makes to her fond lover are only fit to be written on air or on the swiftly passing stream.
CATULLUS -
I write of youth, of love, and have access by these to sing of cleanly wantonness.
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 -
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 -
For the godly poet must be chaste himself, but there is no need for his verses to be so.
CATULLUS -
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.
CATULLUS -
My lady’s sparrow is dead, the sparrow which was my lady’s delight
CATULLUS -
Better a sparrow, living or dead, than no birdsong at all.
CATULLUS -
There is nothing more silly than a silly laugh.
CATULLUS -
Give up wanting to deserve any thanks from anyone, or thinking anybody can be grateful.
CATULLUS -
To whom do I give my new elegant little book? Cui dono lepidum novum libellum?
CATULLUS -
Let us live, my Lesbia, and let us love. Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus
CATULLUS -
There is nothing more foolish than a foolish laugh.
CATULLUS -
Away with you, water, destruction of wine!
CATULLUS