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We excuse our sloth under the pretext of difficulty.

Quintilian

Consequently the student who is devoid of talent will derive no more profit from this work than barren soil from a treatise on agriculture.
QUINTILIAN

Agriculture Profit Student Talent Work
It is easier to do many things than to do one thing continuously for a long time.
QUINTILIAN

Different Easy Time
Too exact, and studious of similitude rather than of beauty.
QUINTILIAN

Beautiful Exact Similar
A great part of art consists in imitation. For the whole conduct of life is based on this: that what we admire in others we want to do ourselves.
QUINTILIAN

Admire Art Consist Greatness Life Ourselves
It seldom happens that a premature shoot of genius ever arrives at maturity.
QUINTILIAN

Arrival Genius Maturity
Everything that has a beginning comes to an end.
QUINTILIAN

Advice Beginning End Proverb
Though ambition may be a fault in itself, it is often the mother of virtues.
QUINTILIAN

Ambition Mistake Mom Virtue
The perfection of art is to conceal art.
QUINTILIAN

Art Hide Perfection
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
Write quickly and you will never write well; write well, and you will soon write quickly.
QUINTILIAN

Poet Quick Writing Yourself
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 learned understand the reason of art; the unlearned feel the pleasure.
QUINTILIAN

Art Feeling Learning Pleasure Reason Understand
The prosperous can not easily form a right idea of misery.
QUINTILIAN

Easy Ideas Misery Prosperity Right
When defeat is inevitable, it is wisest to yield.
QUINTILIAN

Defeat Protection Wisdom
Study depends on the goodwill of the student, a quality that cannot be secured by compulsion.
QUINTILIAN

Compulsion Goodness Secure Study
To swear, except when necessary, is becoming to an honorable man.
QUINTILIAN

Exception Honor Man Necessary

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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