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We excuse our sloth under the pretext of difficulty.

Quintilian

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

Complimentary Design Laughter Raise
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
Virtue, though she gets her beginning from nature, yet receives her finishing touches from learning.
QUINTILIAN

Beginning Herself Learning Nature Touch Virtue
While we are examining into everything we sometimes find truth where we least expected it.
QUINTILIAN

Examination Expectation Time
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
Conscience is a thousand witnesses.
QUINTILIAN

Conscience One Liner Perspective Spirituality
Fear of the future is worse than one’s present fortune.
QUINTILIAN

Fear Fortune Future Present
While we ponder when to begin, it becomes too late to do.
QUINTILIAN

Action Beginning Late
A Woman who is generous with her money is to be praised; not so, if she is generous with her person.
QUINTILIAN

Generosity Herself Money Person Woman
Medicine for the dead is too late.
QUINTILIAN

Death Medicine One Liner
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
Suffering itself does less afflict the senses than the apprehension of suffering.
QUINTILIAN

Afflict Sense Suffering
Everything that has a beginning comes to an end.
QUINTILIAN

Advice Beginning End Proverb
(Slaughter) means blood and iron.
QUINTILIAN

Blood Death Iron
Though ambition may be a fault in itself, it is often the mother of virtues.
QUINTILIAN

Ambition Mistake Mom Virtue
There is no one who would not rather appear to know than to be taught.
QUINTILIAN

Appearance Teaching

We excuse our sloth under the pretext of difficulty.

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We excuse our sloth under the pretext of difficulty.

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