Let us live, my Lesbia, and let us love. Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus
CATULLUSLet us live, my Lesbia, and let us love. Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus
CATULLUSI hate and love. And why, perhaps you’ll ask. I don’t know: but I feel, and I’m tormented.
CATULLUSBut you shall not escape my iambics.
CATULLUSBetter a sparrow, living or dead, than no birdsong at all.
CATULLUSStop wishing to merit anyone’s gratitude or thinking that anyone can become grateful.
CATULLUSThe confounding of all right and wrong, in wild fury, has averted from us the gracious favor of the gods.
CATULLUSThere is nothing more foolish than a foolish laugh.
CATULLUSGive up wanting to deserve any thanks from anyone, or thinking anybody can be grateful.
CATULLUSEvery one has his faults: but we do not see the wallet on our own backs.
CATULLUSFor the godly poet must be chaste himself, but there is no need for his verses to be so.
CATULLUSI 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.
CATULLUSI write of youth, of love, and have access by these to sing of cleanly wantonness.
CATULLUSIt is difficult to lay aside a confirmed passion.
CATULLUSThe vows that woman makes to her fond lover are only fit to be written on air or on the swiftly passing stream.
CATULLUSThere is nothing more silly than a silly laugh.
CATULLUSAway with you, water, destruction of wine!
CATULLUS