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.
CATULLUSSo a maiden, whilst she remains untouched, so long is she dear to her own; when she has lost her chaste flower with sullied body, she remains neither lovely to boys nor dear to girls.
More Catullus Quotes
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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 -
It is difficult to lay aside a confirmed passion.
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 -
We see not our own backs.
CATULLUS -
I write of youth, of love, and have access by these to sing of cleanly wantonness.
CATULLUS -
Give me a thousand kisses, then a hundred, then a thousand more.
CATULLUS -
Give up wanting to deserve any thanks from anyone, or thinking anybody can be grateful.
CATULLUS -
Now Spring restores the balmy heat, now Zephyr’s sweet breezes calm the rage of the equinoctial sky.
CATULLUS -
What a woman says to an eager lover, write it on running water, write it on air.
CATULLUS -
My mind’s sunk so low, Claudia, because of you, wrecked itself on your account so bad already, that I couldn’t like you if you were the best of women, -or stop loving you, no matter what you do.
CATULLUS -
For the godly poet must be chaste himself, but there is no need for his verses to be so.
CATULLUS -
I hate and love. And why, perhaps you’ll ask. I don’t know: but I feel, and I’m tormented.
CATULLUS -
Oh, this age! How tasteless and ill bred it is!
CATULLUS -
What women say to lovers, you’ll agree, One writes on running water or on air.
CATULLUS