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That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes.

Quintilian

The learned understand the reason of art; the unlearned feel the pleasure.
QUINTILIAN

Art Feeling Learning Pleasure Reason Understand
Without natural gifts technical rules are useless.
QUINTILIAN

Gift Natural Rule Technical
When defeat is inevitable, it is wisest to yield.
QUINTILIAN

Defeat Protection Wisdom
It is easier to do many things than to do one thing continuously for a long time.
QUINTILIAN

Different Easy Time
Fear of the future is worse than one’s present fortune.
QUINTILIAN

Fear Fortune Future Present
He who speaks evil only differs from his who does evil in that he lacks opportunity.
QUINTILIAN

Evil Himself Opportunity Talk
The gifts of nature are infinite in their variety, and mind differs from mind almost as much as body from body.
QUINTILIAN

Body Infinite Mindset Nature
Everything that has a beginning comes to an end.
QUINTILIAN

Advice Beginning End Proverb
To swear, except when necessary, is becoming to an honorable man.
QUINTILIAN

Exception Honor Man Necessary
There is no one who would not rather appear to know than to be taught.
QUINTILIAN

Appearance Teaching
We should not speak so that it is possible for the audience to understand us, but so that it is impossible for them to misunderstand us.
QUINTILIAN

Impossible Misunderstand Possible Talk Understand
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
A laugh costs too much when bought at the expense of virtue.
QUINTILIAN

Cost Expense Laughter Virtue
Our minds are like our stomaches; they are whetted by the change of their food, and variety supplies both with fresh appetite.
QUINTILIAN

Change Food Fresh Mindset Stomach
We must form our minds by reading deep rather than wide.
QUINTILIAN

Form Mindset Reading Wide
Although virtue receives some of its excellencies from nature, yet it is perfected by education.
QUINTILIAN

Excellence Nature Perfection Virtue

That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes.

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That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes.

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