Martial Quotes

You complain, friend Swift, of the length of my epigrams, but you yourself write nothing. Yours are shorter.

No man is quick enough to enjoy life.

In adversity it is easy to despise life; he is truly brave who can endure a wreched life.

Hidden evils are most dreaded.

Your seventh wife, Phileros, is now being buried in your field. No man’s field brings him greater profit than yours, Phileros.

While you cannot resolve what you are, at last you may be nothing.

If you have any shame, forbear to pluck the beard of a dead lion.

For life is only life when blessed with health.

Believing hear, what you deserve to hear: Your birthday as my own to me is dear. But yours gives most; for mine did only lend Me to the world; yours gave to me a friend.