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The perfection of art is to conceal art.

Quintilian

Men of quality are in the wrong to undervalue, as they often do, the practise of a fair and quick hand in writing; for it is no immaterial accomplishment.
QUINTILIAN

Accomplishment Man Quality Value Wrong
A liar should have a good memory.
QUINTILIAN

Goodness Lying Memory
A man who tries to surpass another may perhaps succeed in equaling in not actually surpassing him, but one who merely follows can never quite come up with him: a follower, necessarily, is always behind.
QUINTILIAN

Equality Follow Himself Man Quite Success
Fear of the future is worse than one’s present fortune.
QUINTILIAN

Fear Fortune Future Present
When we cannot hope to win, it is an advantage to yield.
QUINTILIAN

Advantage Hope Protection Win
Medicine for the dead is too late.
QUINTILIAN

Death Medicine One Liner
Nothing can be pleasing which is not also becoming.
QUINTILIAN

Deep Please
Sayings designed to raise a laugh are generally untrue and never complimentary. Laughter is never far removed from derision.
QUINTILIAN

Complimentary Design Laughter Raise
A laugh costs too much when bought at the expense of virtue.
QUINTILIAN

Cost Expense Laughter Virtue
Virtue, though she gets her beginning from nature, yet receives her finishing touches from learning.
QUINTILIAN

Beginning Herself Learning Nature Touch Virtue
Those who wish to appear learned to fools, appear as fools to the learned.
QUINTILIAN

Appearance Fools Learning
One thing, however, I must premise, that without the assistance of natural capacity, rules and precepts are of no efficacy.
QUINTILIAN

Assistance Capacity Natural Rule
There is no one who would not rather appear to know than to be taught.
QUINTILIAN

Appearance Teaching
Conscience is a thousand witnesses.
QUINTILIAN

Conscience One Liner Perspective Spirituality
While we are making up our minds as to when we shall begin. The opportunity is lost.
QUINTILIAN

Beginning Lost Mindset Opportunity Time
Nature herself has never attempted to effect great changes rapidly.
QUINTILIAN

Change Greatness Nature

The perfection of art is to conceal art.

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The perfection of art is to conceal art.

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