Plutarch quotes - page 12

The giving of riches and honors to a wicked man is like giving strong wine to him that hath a fever. (Plutarch)

He who reflects on another man's want of breeding, shows he wants it as much himself.

Plutarch

Poverty is not dishonorable in itself, but only when it comes from idleness, intemperance, extravagance, and folly.

Plutarch

Distressed valor challenges great respect, even from an enemy.

Plutarch

Philosophy is an act of living.

Plutarch

The man who is completely wise and virtuous has no need of glory, except so far as it disposes and eases his way to action by the greater trust that it procures him.

Plutarch

Nothing is cheap which is superfluous, for what one does not need, is dear at a penny.

Plutarch

(Solon) being asked, namely, what city was best to live in, That city, he replied, in which those who are not wronged, no less than those who are wronged, exert themselves to punish the wrongdoers.

Plutarch

The man who first brought ruin upon the Roman people was he who pampered them by largesses and amusements.

Plutarch

When Demosthenes was asked what were the three most important aspects of oratory, he answered, ''Action, Action, Action.''

Plutarch

To one that promised to give him hardy cocks that would die fighting, "Prithee," said Cleomenes, "give me cocks that will kill fighting. (Plutarch)

The first evil those who are prone to talk suffer, is that they hear nothing.

Plutarch

about Archimedes ... being perpetually charmed by his familiar siren, that is, by his geometry, he neglected to eat and drink and took no care of his person that he was often carried by force to the baths, and when there he would trace geometrical figures in the ashes of the fire, and with his finger draw lines upon his body when it was anointed with oil, being in a state of great ecstasy and divinely possessed by his science.

Plutarch

Not by lamentations and mournful chants ought we to celebrate the funeral of a good man, but by hymns, for in ceasing to be numbered with mortals he enters upon the heritage of a diviner life.

Plutarch

Good birth is a fine thing, but the merit is our ancestors.

Plutarch

This excerpt is presented as reproduced by Copernicus in the preface to De Revolutionibus 'Some think that the earth remains at rest. But Philolaus the Pythagorean believes that, like the sun and moon, it revolves around the fire in an oblique circle. Heraclides of Pontus and Ecphantus the Pythagorean make the earth move, not in a progressive motion, but like a wheel in rotation from west to east around its own center.'

Plutarch

It is the admirer of himself, and not the admirer of virtue, that thinks himself superior to others.

Plutarch

In human life there is constant change of fortune And it is unreasonable to expect an exemption from the common fate. Life itself decays, and all things are daily changing.

Plutarch

Learn to be pleased with everything with wealth, so far as it makes us beneficial to others with poverty, for not having much to care for and with obscurity, for being unenvied.

Plutarch

The richest soil, if cultivated, produces the rankest weeds.

Plutarch

The talkative listen to no one, for they are ever speaking. And the first evil that attends those who know not how to be silent, is, that they hear nothing. (Plutarch)

Nor is it always in the most distinguished achievements that men's virtues or vices may be best discovered but very often an action of small note, a short saying, or a jest, shall distinguish a person's real character more than the greatest sieges, or the most important battle.

Plutarch

To do an evil act is base. To do a good one without incurring danger, is common enough. But it is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds though he risks everything in doing them.

Plutarch

The measure of a man is way he bears up under misfortune.

Plutarch

There are two sentences inscribed upon the Ancient oracle Know thyself and Nothing too much and upon these all other precepts depend.

Plutarch

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