So 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.
CATULLUSGive up wanting to deserve any thanks from anyone, or thinking anybody can be grateful.
More Catullus Quotes
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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 -
Away with you, water, destruction of wine!
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.
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There is nothing more foolish than a foolish laugh.
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Now Spring restores the balmy heat, now Zephyr’s sweet breezes calm the rage of the equinoctial sky.
CATULLUS -
It is difficult to lay aside a confirmed passion.
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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 -
Oh, this age! How tasteless and ill bred it is!
CATULLUS -
Give me a thousand kisses, then a hundred, then a thousand more.
CATULLUS -
I hate and I love. And if you ask me how, I do not know: I only feel it, and I am torn in two.
CATULLUS -
It is difficult to suddenly give up a long love. Difficile est longum subito deponere amorem
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 -
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 -
For the godly poet must be chaste himself, but there is no need for his verses to be so.
CATULLUS -
I hate and love. You ask, perhaps, how can that be? I know not, but I feel the agony.
CATULLUS -
My lady’s sparrow is dead, the sparrow which was my lady’s delight
CATULLUS -
But you shall not escape my iambics.
CATULLUS -
I hate and love. And why, perhaps you’ll ask. I don’t know: but I feel, and I’m tormented.
CATULLUS -
Every one has his faults: but we do not see the wallet on our own backs.
CATULLUS -
Give up wanting to deserve any thanks from anyone, or thinking anybody can be grateful.
CATULLUS -
Better a sparrow, living or dead, than no birdsong at all.
CATULLUS -
Away with you, water, destruction of wine!
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 -
What women say to lovers, you’ll agree, One writes on running water or on air.
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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