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Ambition is a vice, but it may be the father of virtue.

Quintilian

The mind is exercised by the variety and multiplicity of the subject matter, while the character is moulded by the contemplation of virtue and vice.
QUINTILIAN

Exercise Mindset Subject Vice Virtue
In a crowd, on a journey, at a banquet even, a line of thought can itself provide its own seclusion.
QUINTILIAN

Crowd Journey Seclusion
While we are making up our minds as to when we shall begin. The opportunity is lost.
QUINTILIAN

Beginning Lost Mindset Opportunity Time
An evil-speaker differs from an evil-doer only in the want of opportunity.
QUINTILIAN

Difference Evil Opportunity
From writing rapidly it does not result that one writes well, but from writing well it results that one writes rapidly.
QUINTILIAN

Fast Oneself Result Writing
It is easier to do many things than to do one thing continuously for a long time.
QUINTILIAN

Different Easy Time
God, that all-powerful Creator of nature and architect of the world, has impressed man with no character so proper to distinguish him from other animals, as by the faculty of speech.
QUINTILIAN

Animal Creation Faculty God Impression Nature Powerful Talk
A mediocre speech supported by all the power of delivery will be more impressive than the best speech unaccompanied by such power.
QUINTILIAN

Accompany Average Impression Support
Fear of the future is worse than one’s present fortune.
QUINTILIAN

Fear Fortune Future Present
The pretended admission of a fault on our part creates an excellent impression.
QUINTILIAN

Admission Creation Excellence Impression Pretend
Everything that has a beginning comes to an end.
QUINTILIAN

Advice Beginning End Proverb
Too exact, and studious of similitude rather than of beauty.
QUINTILIAN

Beautiful Exact Similar
That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes.
QUINTILIAN

Arrival Lost Perfection Vanish
We excuse our sloth under the pretext of difficulty.
QUINTILIAN

Difficult Excuse Ourselves
There is no one who would not rather appear to know than to be taught.
QUINTILIAN

Appearance Teaching
To swear, except when necessary, is becoming to an honorable man.
QUINTILIAN

Exception Honor Man Necessary

Ambition is a vice, but it may be the father of virtue.

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Ambition is a vice, but it may be the father of virtue.

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Popular Authors

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