The Quotes canon
Sourced and curated.
Every quote has been curated by hand and carefully authenticated.
Browse all 10,075 quotes or apply filters in different categories to narrow your search.
Browse all 10,075 quotes or apply filters in different categories to narrow your search.
Death2 quotes
Therefore death is nothing to us, it matters not one jot, since the nature of the mind is understood to be mortal. — Lucretius · 55 BCDeath therefore is nothing to us nor does it concern us a scrap, seeing that the nature of the spirit we possess is something mortal. — Lucretius · 55 BCEffects of time2 quotes
The ring on the finger becomes thin beneath by wearing, the fall of dripping water hollows the stone. — Lucretius · 55 BCTime bears away all things, even our minds. — Virgil · 30 BCHuman limitations2 quotes
We are not all capable of everything. — Virgil · 30 BCNot every soil can bear all things. — Virgil · 29 BCNature of life2 quotes
Life is one long struggle in the dark. — Lucretius · 55 BCAnd life is given to none freehold, but it is leasehold for all. — Lucretius · 55 BCNew beginnings2 quotes
Look with favor upon a bold beginning. — Virgil · 29 BCThe first beginnings of things cannot be distinguished by the eye. — Lucretius · 55 BCOcean and sea2 quotes
Lovely it is, when the winds are churning up the waves on the great sea, to gaze out from the land on the great efforts of someone else; not because it's an enjoyable pleasure that somebody is in difficulties, but because it's lovely to realize what troubles you are yourself spared. — Lucretius · 55 BCNever trust her at any time when the calm sea shows her false alluring smile. — Lucretius · 55 BCPlagiarism2 quotes
In comparing various authors with one another, I have discovered that some of the gravest and latest writers have transcribed, word for word, from former works, without making acknowledgment. — Pliny the Elder · 77When collating authorities I have found that the most professedly reliable and modern writers have copied the old authors word for word, without acknowledgement. — Pliny the Elder · 77 BCTime2 quotes
But meanwhile it is flying, irretrievable time is flying. — Virgil · 29 BCTime bears away all things, even our minds. — Virgil · 30 BCTruth2 quotes
The only certainty is that nothing is certain. — Pliny the Elder · 77 BCTruths kindle light for truths. — Lucretius · 55 BCAdversity1 quote
With man, most of his misfortunes are occasioned by man. — Pliny the Elder · 77Africa1 quote
There is always something new out of Africa. — Pliny the Elder · 77Animals1 quote
When a building is about to fall down, all the mice desert it. — Pliny the Elder · 77Appearance vs. reality1 quote
Never trust her at any time when the calm sea shows her false alluring smile. — Lucretius · 55 BCAtomism1 quote
Material objects are of two kinds, atoms and components of atoms. The atoms themselves cannot be swamped by any force, for they are preserved indefinitely by their absolute solidity. — Lucretius · 55 BCAttitude and mindset1 quote
Let us go singing as far as we go: the road will be less tedious. — Virgil · 30 BCBeauty1 quote
Don't bank too much on your complexion, lovely boy. — Virgil · 37 BCBeauty fades1 quote
Don't bank too much on your complexion, lovely boy. — Virgil · 37 BCBravery1 quote
Fortune favors the brave. — Virgil · 19 BCCertainty1 quote
The only certainty is that nothing is certain. — Pliny the Elder · 77 BCChange1 quote
In a short while the generations of living creatures are changed, and like runners relay the torch of life. — Lucretius · 50 BCCharacter1 quote
So it is more useful to watch a man in times of peril, and in adversity to discern what kind of man he is; for then at last words of truth are drawn from the depths of his heart, and the mask is torn off, reality remains. — Lucretius · 55 BCCircle of life1 quote
In a short while the generations of living creatures are changed, and like runners relay the torch of life. — Lucretius · 50 BCCourage1 quote
Fortune favors the brave. — Virgil · 19 BCCreation1 quote
Nothing can be created from nothing. — Lucretius · 55 BCDanger1 quote
A snake lurks in the grass. — Virgil · 30 BCEvening1 quote
Look over there-smoke rises already from the rooftops
And longer fall the shadows cast by the mountain heights. — Virgil · 37 BCFacing death1 quote
Therefore death is nothing to us, it matters not one jot, since the nature of the mind is understood to be mortal. — Lucretius · 55 BCFarming1 quote
O farmers, pray that your summers be wet and your winters clear. — Virgil · 29 BCFear of death1 quote
Therefore death is nothing to us, it matters not one jot, since the nature of the mind is understood to be mortal. — Lucretius · 55 BCFortune favors the bold1 quote
Fortune favors the brave. — Virgil · 19 BC