“I am a shell-fish just come from being saturated with the waters of the Lucrine lake, near Baiae; but now I luxuriously thrust for noble pickle.”

If fame comes after death, I’m in no hurry for it.

Gifts are like hooks.

Make it a point not to be over-fascinating.

I seem to you cruel and too much addicted to gluttony, when I beat my cook for sending up a bad dinner. If that appears to you too trifling a cause, say for what cause you would have a cook flogged.

Nothing is more ill-timed than an ill-timed laugh.

A jar of wine so priceless did not deserve to die. and Never think of leaving perfume or wines to your heir. Administer these youself and let him have the money.

To have nothing is not poverty.

If your slave commits a fault, do not smash his teeth with your fists; give him some of the (hard) biscuit which famous Rhodes has sent you.

I would not miss your face, your neck, your hands, your limbs, your bosom and certain other of your charms. Indeed, not to become boring by naming them all, I could do without you, Chloe, altogether.

A fisherman’s walk: three steps and overboard.

It is not he who forms idols in gold or marble that makes them gods, but he who kneels before them.

Life’s not just about being alive, but being well.

Whoever makes great presents, expects great presents in return.

The flaw which is hidden is deemed greater than it is.

While an ant was wandering under the shade of the tree of Phaeton, a drop of amber enveloped the tiny insect; thus she, who in life was disregarded, became precious by death.

They let out on hire their passions and eloquence. [Referring to lawyers.]

And a wheat thin the size of Lake Tahoe.

Despite all the silver of Diana and Mercury, their images will be found on the lake. For the sculptor looking for new clay, he and his people will be flooded with gold.

If there are ripples on the surface of a lake, we cannot see the depth. Similarly unless the mind is restful, we cannot experience the harmony and union within us.

This lake exceeds anything I ever beheld in beauty.

As the fisherman depends upon the rivers, lakes and seas and the farmer upon the land for his existence, so does mankind in general depend upon the beauty of the world about him for his spiritual and emotional existence.

Every lake belongs to the quietness desired by the swans.

You know when they have a fishing show on TV? They catch the fish and then let it go. They don’t want to eat the fish, they just want to make it late for something.

I saw a seagull hanging out by a lake, but I said, “Don’t worry, Dude. I won’t say anything.”