Quintus Ennius Quotes

To open his lips is crime in a plain citizen.

The Roman state stands by ancient customs, and its manhood.

A true friend is distinguished in the crisis of hazard and necessity; when the gallantry of his aid may show the worth of his soul and the loyalty of his heart.

Ennius was the father of Roman poetry, because he first introduced into Latin the Greek manner and in particular the hexameter metre.

Don’t ask of your friends what you yourself can do.

They hate whom they fear.

Let no one pay me honor with tears, nor celebrate my funeral rites with weeping.

Let no one honour me with tears, or bury me with lamentation. Why? Because I fly hither and thither, living in the mouths of me. [Lat., Nemo me lacrymis decoret, nec funera fletu. Faxit cur? Volito vivu’ per ora virum.]

He hath freedom whoso beareth a clean and constant heart within.

Let no one weep for me, or celebrate my funeral with mourning; for I still live, as I pass to and fro through the mouths of men.