Historical literatureThose who aim at great deeds must also suffer greatly.Marcus Licinus CrassusPlutarch, Plutarch's Lives · 119★ 3.9
Historical literatureIt is circumstance and proper timing that give an action its character and make it either good or bad.PlutarchPlutarch's Lives · 119★ 3.9
Historical literatureA Roman divorced from his wife, being highly blamed by his friends, who demanded, "Was she not chaste? Was she not fair? Was she not fruitful? Holding out his shoe, asked them whether it was not new and well made. "Yet," added he, "none of you can tell where it pinches me."PlutarchPlutarch's Lives · 119★ 3.8
Historical literatureTuning the lyre and handling the harp are no accomplishments of mine, but rather taking in hand a city that was small and inglorious and making it glorious and great.ThemistoclesPlutarch, Plutarch's Lives · 119★ 3.6
Historical literatureAnacharsis laughed at Solon for imagining the dishonesty and covetousness of his countrymen could be restrained by written laws, which were like spiders' webs, and would catch, it is true, the weak and poor, but easily be broken by the mighty and rich.AnacharsisPlutarch's Lives · 119★ 1.9