black
grey
blue
red
brown
white

We excuse our sloth under the pretext of difficulty.

Quintilian

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

Different Easy Time
Those who wish to appear wise among fools, among the wise seem foolish.
QUINTILIAN

Appearance Fools Virtue Wisdom
In almost everything, experience is more valuable than precept.
QUINTILIAN

Experience Value
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
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
One should aim not at being possible to understand, but at being impossible to misunderstand.
QUINTILIAN

Goal Perspective Possible
Vain hopes are like certain dreams of those who wake.
QUINTILIAN

Awake Dreams Hope
Usage is the best language teacher.
QUINTILIAN

Language One Liner Teacher
A religion without mystics is a philosophy.
QUINTILIAN

One Liner Philosophy Religion
Though ambition in itself is a vice, yet it is often the parent of virtues.
QUINTILIAN

Ambition Parent Vice Virtue
Those who wish to appear learned to fools, appear as fools to the learned.
QUINTILIAN

Appearance Fools Learning
Nothing can be pleasing which is not also becoming.
QUINTILIAN

Deep Please
A liar should have a good memory.
QUINTILIAN

Goodness Lying Memory
Men, even when alone, lighten their labors by song, however rude it may be.
QUINTILIAN

Alone Light Man Rude

We excuse our sloth under the pretext of difficulty.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

We excuse our sloth under the pretext of difficulty.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

More Quintilian Quotes