black
grey
blue
red
brown
white

Some good, some so-so, and lots plain bad: that’s how a book of poems is made, my Friend.

Martial

You complain, friend Swift, of the length of my epigrams, but you yourself write nothing. Yours are shorter.
MARTIAL

Friendship Short Writing Yourself
Gifts are like fish-hooks; for who is not aware that the greedy char is deceived by the fly which he swallows?
MARTIAL

Aware Fly Gift Himself Swallow
I do not hate the man, but his vices.
MARTIAL

Hate Himself Man One Liner Vice
It is to live twice when we can enjoy the recollections of our former life.
MARTIAL

Enjoyment Former Life Live
You ask what a nice girl will do? She won’t give an inch, but she won’t say no.
MARTIAL

Herself Woman
Life consists not merely in existing, but in enjoying health.
MARTIAL

Enjoyment Existence Health Life
There is nothing more revolting than an old busybody.
MARTIAL

Body Old Revolution
The bee is enclosed, and shines preserved in amber, so that it seems enshrined in its own nectar.
MARTIAL

Nectar Preserve Shine Shrine
A vagrant is everywhere at home.
MARTIAL

Home One Liner
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.
MARTIAL

Ant Death Life Precious Shade Value
Every bird that upwards swings Bears the Cross upon its wings.
MARTIAL

Animal Bird Wings
If my opinion is of any worth, the fieldfare is the greatest delicacy among birds, the hare among quadrupeds.
MARTIAL

Greatness Myself Opinion Worth
To-morrow I will live, the fool does say; To-day itself’s too late, the wise lived yesterday.
MARTIAL

Fools Future Past Wisdom
Some things are good, some middling, more bad.
MARTIAL

Bad Goodness
Red-haired, black-lipped, club-footed, and blink-eyed; if you’re a good man, you’re a wonder!
MARTIAL

Goodness Man Yourself
Glory comes too late when we are nought but ashes.
MARTIAL

Ash Glory Late
No amount of misfortune will satisfy the man who is not satisfied with reading a hundred epigrams.
MARTIAL

Misfortune Reading Satisfaction
Rarity gives a charm; so early fruits and winter roses are the most prized; and coyness sets off an extravagant mistress, while the door always open tempts no suitor.
MARTIAL

Charm Prize Rare Suit
A fisherman’s walk: three steps and overboard.
MARTIAL

Man Walk
That which prevents disagreeable flies from feeding on your repast, was once the proud tail of a splendid bird.
MARTIAL

Agreement Food Movie Prevent Proud
If you are poor now, Aemilianus, you will always be poor. Riches are now given to none but the rich.
MARTIAL

Poor Rich Unfair Willing Yourself
Make it a point not to be over-fascinating.
MARTIAL

Fascination One Liner Point
Life’s not just about being alive, but being well.
MARTIAL

Alive Health Life
You puff the poets of other days, The living you deplore. Spare me the accolade: your praise Is not worth dying for.
MARTIAL

Death Live Poet Praise Worth
Whoever makes great presents, expects great presents in return.
MARTIAL

Greatness Present Return
Those they praise, but they read the others.
MARTIAL

One Liner Praise Reading
You crystal break, for fear of breaking it: Careless and careful hands like faults commit.
MARTIAL

Break Care Commitment Crystal Fear Hands Yourself

Some good, some so-so, and lots plain bad: that’s how a book of poems is made, my Friend.

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Some good, some so-so, and lots plain bad: that’s how a book of poems is made, my Friend.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

More Martial Quotes