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We excuse our sloth under the pretext of difficulty.

Quintilian

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

Appearance Teaching
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
A religion without mystics is a philosophy.
QUINTILIAN

One Liner Philosophy Religion
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
We must form our minds by reading deep rather than wide.
QUINTILIAN

Form Mindset Reading Wide
If you direct your whole thought to work itself, none of the things which invade eyes or ears will reach the mind.
QUINTILIAN

Direct Eyes Mindset Reach Work
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
Lately we have had many losses.
QUINTILIAN

Late Lose One Liner
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
That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes.
QUINTILIAN

Arrival Lost Perfection Vanish
In almost everything, experience is more valuable than precept.
QUINTILIAN

Experience Value
By writing quickly we are not brought to write well, but by writing well we are brought to write quickly.
QUINTILIAN

Difference Literature Poet Writing
The learned understand the reason of art; the unlearned feel the pleasure.
QUINTILIAN

Art Feeling Learning Pleasure Reason Understand
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
A liar must have a good memory.
QUINTILIAN

Goodness Lying Memories
The pretended admission of a fault on our part creates an excellent impression.
QUINTILIAN

Admission Creation Excellence Impression Pretend

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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