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Quotes by Ovid
180 quotations from The Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations (1896), with the subject each one is filed under.
Crede mihi, miseris cœlestia numina parcunt; Nec semper læsos, et sine fine, premunt. Believe me, the gods spare the afflicted, and do not always oppress those who are unfortunate.— filed under Affliction
Velle parum est; cupias ut re potiaris oportet; Et faciat somnos hæc tibi cura breves. To wish is of little account; to succeed you must earnestly desire; and this desire must shorten thy sleep.— filed under Ambition
Nam genus et proavos et quæ non fecimus ipsi Vix ea nostra voco. Birth and ancestry, and that which we have not ourselves achieved, we can scarcely call our own.— filed under Ancestry
Quamlibet infirmas adjuvat ira manus. Anger assists hands however weak.— filed under Anger
Ut fragilis glacies interit ira morâ. Like fragile ice anger passes away in time.— filed under Anger
Arte citæ veloque rates remoque moventur; Arte levis currus, arte regendus Amor. By science, sails, and oars, ships are rapidly moved; science moves the light chariot, and it establishes love.— filed under Art
Auxilium non leve vultus habet. A pleasing countenance is no slight advantage.— filed under Beauty
Tarde quæ credita lædunt credimus. We are slow to believe what if believed would hurt our feelings.— filed under Belief
Thus does the white swan, as he lies on the wet grass, when the Fates summon him, sing at the fords of Mæander.— filed under Birds-Swallow
Audentes deus ipse juvat. God himself favors the brave.— filed under Bravery
Omne solum forti patria est. The brave find a home in every land.— filed under Bravery
Causa latet: vis est notissima. The cause is hidden, but the result is known.— filed under Cause
I see the right, and I approve it too, Condemn the wrong, and yet the wrong pursue.— filed under Character
Video meliora proboque, Deteriora sequor. I see and approve better things, I follow the worse.— filed under Character
Leve fit quod bene fertur onus. That load becomes light which is cheerfully borne.— filed under Cheerfulness
Cæsar. XXXVII. Cede repugnanti; cedendo victor abibis. Yield to him who opposes you; by yielding you conquer.— filed under Conquest
Male vincetis, sed vincite. You will hardly conquer, but conquer you must.— filed under Conquest
Of Conscience. As the mind of each man is conscious of good or evil, so does he conceive within his breast hope or fear, according to his actions.— filed under Conscience
Conscia mens ut cuique sua est, ita concipit intra Pectora pro facto spemque metumque suo. According to the state of a man's conscience, so do hope and fear on account of his deeds arise in his mind.— filed under Conscience
Qua positus fueris in statione, mane. Stay in that station in which you have been placed.— filed under Contention
Animus tamen omnia vincit. Ille etiam vires corpus habere facit. Courage conquers all things: it even gives strength to the body.— filed under Courage
Audentem forsque Venusque juvant. Fortune and Love befriend the bold.— filed under Courage
Saucius ejurat pugnam gladiator, et idem Immemor antiqui vulneris arma capit. The wounded gladiator forswears all fighting, but soon forgetting his former wound resumes his arms.— filed under Courage
Teloque animus præstantior omni. A spirit superior to every weapon.— filed under Courage
Quicquid servatur, cupimus magis: ipsaque furem Cura vocat. Pauci, quod sinit alter, amant. We covet what is guarded; the very care invokes the thief. Few love what they may have.— filed under Covetousness
XXX. 9. Ars fit ubi a teneris crimen condiscitur annis. Where crime is taught from early years, it becomes a part of nature.— filed under Crime
Pœna potest demi, culpa perennis erit. The punishment can be remitted; the crime is everlasting.— filed under Crime
Tempore ducetur longo fortasse cicatrix, Horrent admotas vulnera cruda manus. The wound will perhaps be cured in the process of time, but it shrinks from the touch while it is fresh.— filed under Danger
Nec mihi mors gravis est posituro morte dolores. Death is not grievous to me, for I shall lay aside my pains by death. C.— filed under Death
Quocunque adspicias, nihil est nisi mortis imago. Wherever you look there is nothing but the image of death.— filed under Death
Stulte, quid est somnus, gelidæ nisi mortis imago? Longa quiescendi tempora fata dabunt. Thou fool, what is sleep but the image of death? Fate will give an eternal rest.— filed under Death
Ultima semper Expectanda dies homini est, dicique beatus Ante obitum nemo et suprema funera debet. Man should ever look to his last day, and no one should be called happy before his funeral.— filed under Death
Pia fraus. A pious fraud.— filed under Deceit
Cætera fortunæ, non mea, turba fuit. The rest of the crowd were friends of my fortune, not of me.— filed under Deceit
Furtum ingeniosus ad omne, Qui facere assueret, patriæ non degener artis, Candida de nigris, et de candentibus atra. Skilled in every trick, a worthy heir of his paternal craft, he would make black look white, and white look black.— filed under Deceit
C. Impia sub dulci melle venena latent. Deadly poisons are concealed under sweet honey.— filed under Deceit
The deed I intend is great, But what, as yet, I know not.— filed under Deeds
Acta deos nunquam mortalia fallunt. The deeds of men never escape the gods.— filed under Deeds
Di pia facta vident. The gods see the deeds of the righteous.— filed under Deeds
Ipse decor, recti facti si præmia desint, Non movet. Men do not value a good deed unless it brings a reward.— filed under Deeds
Longa mora est nobis omnis, quæ gaudia differt. Every delay that postpones our joys, is long.— filed under Delay
Nitimur in vetitum semper, cupimusque negata. We are always striving for things forbidden, and coveting those denied us.— filed under Desire
Aëre non certo corpora languor habet. Sickness seizes the body from bad ventilation.— filed under Disease
Vitiant artus ægræ contagia mentis. Diseases of the mind impair the bodily powers.— filed under Disease
In causâ facili cuivis licet esse diserto. In an easy cause any man may be eloquent.— filed under Eloquence
The god we now behold with opened eyes, A herd of spotted panthers round him lies In glaring forms; the grapy clusters spread On his fair brows, and dangle on his head.— filed under Bias
Ingenium magni detractat livor Homeri. Envy depreciates the genius of the great Homer.— filed under Envy
Pascitur in vivis livor; post fata quiescit. Envy feeds on the living. It ceases when they are dead.— filed under Envy
Summa petit livor: perflant altissima venti. Envy assails the noblest: the winds howl around the highest peaks.— filed under Envy
Genus est mortis male vivere. An evil life is a kind of death.— filed under Evil
Mille mali species, mille salutis erunt. There are a thousand forms of evil; there will be a thousand remedies.— filed under Evil
Omnia perversas possunt corrumpere mentes. All things can corrupt perverse minds.— filed under Evil
Immensum gloria calcar habet. The love of fame gives an immense stimulus.— filed under Fame
Ingenio stimulos subdere fama solet. The love of fame usually spurs on the mind.— filed under Fame
III. 37. Membra reformidant mollem quoque saucia tactum: Vanaque sollicitis incutit umbra metum. The wounded limb shrinks from the slightest touch; and a slight shadow alarms the nervous.— filed under Fear
Quem metuit quisque, perisse cupit. Every one wishes that the man whom he fears would perish.— filed under Fear
Terretur minimo pennæ stridore columba Unguibus, accipiter, saucia facta tuis. The dove, O hawk, that has once been wounded by thy talons, is frightened by the least movement of a wing.— filed under Fear
Igne quid utilius? si quis tamen urere tecta Comparet audaces instruit igne manus. What is more useful than fire? Yet if any one prepares to burn a house, it is with fire that he arms his daring hands.— filed under Fire
Casus ubique valet: semper tibi pendeat hamus, Quo minime credas gurgite, piscis erit. Luck affects everything; let your hook always be cast; in the stream where you least expect it, there will be a fish.— filed under Fortune
Donec eris felix, multos numerabis amicos; Tempora si fuerint nubila solus eris. As long as you are fortunate you will have many friends, but if the times become cloudy you will be alone.— filed under Fortune
Fortuna miserrima tuta est: Nam timor eventus deterioris abest. The most wretched fortune is safe; for there is no fear of anything worse.— filed under Fortune
Intra fortunam quisque debet manere suam. Every man should stay within his own fortune.— filed under Fortune
Scilicet ut fulvum spectatur in ignibus aurum Tempore in duro est inspicienda fides. As the yellow gold is tried in fire, so the faith of friendship must be seen in adversity.— filed under Friendship
Vulgus amicitias utilitate probat. The vulgar herd estimate friendship by its advantages.— filed under Friendship
Acceptissima semper munera sunt auctor quæ pretiosa facit. Those gifts are ever the most acceptable which the giver makes precious.— filed under Gifts
Majestatem res data dantis habet. The gift derives its value from the rank of the giver.— filed under Gifts
Res est ingeniosa dare. Giving requires good sense.— filed under Gifts
At caret insidiis hominum, quia mitis, hirundo. The swallow is not ensnared by men because of its gentle nature.— filed under Glory
Est deus in nobis. There is a God within us.— filed under God
Nihil ita sublime est, supraque pericula tendit Non sit ut inferius suppositumque deo. Nothing is so high and above all danger that is not below and in the power of God.— filed under God
GODS (THE). Sed tamen ut fuso taurorum sanguine centum, Sic capitur minimo thuris honore deus. As God is propitiated by the blood of a hundred bulls, so also is he by the smallest offering of incense.— filed under God
Strangulat inclusus dolor, atque exæstuat intus, Cogitur et vires multiplicare suas. Suppressed grief suffocates, it rages within the breast, and is forced to multiply its strength.— filed under Grief
Heu! quam difficile est crimen non prodere vultu. Alas! how difficult it is to prevent the countenance from betraying guilt.— filed under Guilt
Ill habits gather by unseen degrees, As brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas.— filed under Habit
Gestis Alexandri Magni. V. 5. 21. Abeunt studia in mores. Pursuits become habits.— filed under Habit
C. Morem fecerat usus. Habit had made the custom.— filed under Habit
Nil consuetudine majus. Nothing is stronger than habit.— filed under Habit
Munditiis capimur: non sine lege capillis. We are charmed by neatness of person; let not thy hair be out of order.— filed under Hatred
Et res non semper, spes mihi semper adest. My hopes are not always realized, but I always hope.— filed under Hope
I. Pro superi! quantum mortalia pectora cӕce, Noctis habent. Heavens! what thick darkness pervades the minds of men.— filed under Hunger
१. Quantum animis erroris inest! What ignorance there is in human minds.— filed under Hunger
Quod latet ignotum est; ignoti nulla cupido. What is hid is unknown: for what is unknown there is no desire.— filed under Hunger
Tamque opus exegi quod nec Jovis ira nec ignes Nec poterit ferrum, nec edax abolere vetustas. Cum volet illa dies quæ nil nisi corporis hujus Jus habet, incerti spatium mihi siniat ævi; Parte tamen meliore mei super alta perennis Astra ferar, nomenque erit indelebile nostrum. And now have I finished a work which neither the wrath of Jove, nor fire, nor steel, nor all-consuming time can destroy. Welcome the day which can destroy only my physical man in ending my uncertain life. In my better part I shall be raised to immortality above the lofty stars, and my name shall never die.— filed under Immortality
Si possem sanior essem. Sed trahit invitam nova vis; aliudque Cupido, Mens aliud. If it were in my power, I would be wiser; but a newly felt power carries me off in spite of myself; love leads me one way, my understanding another.— filed under Influence
Adde, quod ingenuas didicisse fideliter artes Emollit mores, nec sinit esse fervos. To be instructed in the arts, softens the manners and makes men gentle.— filed under Instruction
Fas est ab hoste doceri. It is lawful to be taught by an enemy.— filed under Instruction
Judicis officium est ut res ita tempora rerum Quærere. The judge's duty is to inquire about the time, as well as the facts.— filed under Judgment
Paucite paucarum diffundere crimen in omnes. Do not lay on the multitude the blame that is due to a few.— filed under Judgment
Quam necis artifices arte perire sua. Nor is there any law more just, than that he who has plotted death shall perish by his own plot.— filed under Justice
Ardua molimur; sed nulla nisi ardua virtus. I attempt a difficult work; but there is no excellence without difficulty.— filed under Labor
Dum vires annique sinunt. tolerate labores. Jam veniet tacito curva senecta pede. While strength and years permit, endure labor; soon bent old age will come with silent foot. C.— filed under Labor
Id quoque, quod vivam, munus habere dei. This also, that I live, I consider a gift of God.— filed under Life
I do not love you, Dr. Fell. The reason why I cannot tell; But only this I know full well, I do not love you, Dr. Fell. TOM BROWN'S Paraphrase. Credula res amor est. Love is a credulous thing.— filed under Love
Heroides. VI. 21. Hei mihi! quod nullis amor est medicabilis herbis. Ah me! love can not be cured by herbs. C.— filed under Love
Militat omnis amans. Every lover is a soldier.— filed under Love
Moribus et formâ conciliandus amor. Love must be attracted by beauty of mind and body.— filed under Love
Non bene conveniunt, nec in unâ sede morantur, Majestas et amor. Majesty and love do not well agree, nor do they live together.— filed under Love
Otia si tollas, periere cupidinis arcus. If you give up your quiet life, the bow of Cupid will lose its power.— filed under Love
Quicquid Amor jussit non est contemnere tutum. Regnat, et in dominos jus habet ille deos. It is not safe to despise what Love commands. He reigns supreme, and rules the mighty gods.— filed under Love
Qui finem quæris amoris, (Cedit amor rebus) res age; tutus eris. If thou wishest to put an end to love, attend to business (love yields to employment); then thou wilt be safe.— filed under Love
Qui non vult fieri desidiosus, amet. Let the man who does not wish to be idle, fall in love.— filed under Love
Res est soliciti plena timoris amor. Love is a thing full of anxious fears.— filed under Love
Ut ameris, amabilis esto. To be loved, be lovable.— filed under Love
Hac quoque de causâ, si te proverbia tangunt, Mense malos Maio nubere vulgus ait. For this reason, if you believe proverbs, let me tell you the common one: "It is unlucky to marry in May."— filed under Matrimony
Si qua voles apte nubere, nube pari. If thou wouldst marry wisely, marry thine equal.— filed under Matrimony
At cum longa dies sedavit vulnera mentis, Intempestive qui fovet illa novat. When time has assuaged the wounds of the mind, he who unseasonably reminds us of them, opens them afresh.— filed under Memory
Corpore sed mens est ægro magis ægra; malique In circumspectu stat sine fine sui. The mind is sicker than the sick body; in contemplation of its sufferings it becomes hopeless.— filed under Mind
Take this at least, this last advice, my son: Keep a stiff rein, and move but gently on: The coursers of themselves will run too fast, Your art must be to moderate their haste.— filed under Moderation
In pretio pretium nunc est; dat census honores, Census amicitias; pauper ubique jacet. Money nowadays is money; money brings office; money gains friends; everywhere the poor man is down.— filed under Money
N. Regia, crede, mihi res est succurrere lapsis. Believe me it is noble to aid the afflicted.— filed under Music
Bene qui latuit, bene vixit. He who has lived obscurely and quietly has lived well.— filed under Obscurity
Nostra sine auxilio fugiunt bona, Carpite florem. Our advantages fly away without aid. Pluck the flower.— filed under Opportunity
Æquo animo pœnam, qui meruere, ferant. Let those who have deserved their punishment, bear it patiently.— filed under Patience
Amor patriæ ratione valentior. The love of country is more powerful than reason itself.— filed under Patriotism
Nescio quâ natale solum dulcedine captos Ducit, et immemores non sinit esse sui. Our native land charms us with inexpressible sweetness, and never allows us to forget that we belong to it.— filed under Patriotism
Candida pax homines, trux decet ira feras. Fair peace becomes men; ferocious anger belongs to beasts.— filed under Peace
Quod licet est ingratum quod non licet acrius urit. What is lawful is undesirable; what is unlawful is very attractive.— filed under Pleasure
Usque adeo nulli sincera voluptas, Solicitique aliquid lætis intervenit. No one possesses unalloyed pleasure; there is some anxiety mingled with the joy.— filed under Pleasure
Carmina lætum Sunt opus et pacem mentis habere volunt. The poet's labors are a work of joy, and require peace of mind.— filed under Poets
A cane non magno sæpe tenetur aper. The wild boar is often held by a small dog.— filed under Power
Ut desint vires tamen est laudanda voluntas. Though the power be wanting, yet the wish is praiseworthy.— filed under Power
Ossa on Pelion.— filed under Proverbs
Si numeres anno soles et nubila toto, Invenies nitidum sæpius isse diem. If you count the sunny and the cloudy days of the whole year, you will find that the sunshine predominates.— filed under Prudence
Satiræ. XIV. 315. Crede mihi; miseros prudentia prima relinquit. Believe me; it is prudence that first forsakes the wretched.— filed under Prudence
Estque pati pœnas quam meruisse minus. It is less to suffer punishment than to deserve it. S.— filed under Punishment
Si quoties homines peccant sua fulmina mittat Jupiter, exiguo tempore inermis erit. If Jupiter hurled his thunderbolt as often as men sinned, he would soon be out of thunderbolts.— filed under Punishment
Scilicet adversis probitas exercita rebus Tristi materiam tempore laudis habet. Righteousness tried by adversity has good grounds for glorying in its sorrow.— filed under Religion
Placato possum non miser esse deo. If God be appeased, I can not be wretched.— filed under Resignation
Da requiem; requietus ager bene credita reddit. Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.— filed under Rest
Those graceful groves that shade the plain, Where Tiber rolls majestic to the main, And flattens, as he runs, the fair campagne.— filed under Royalty
An nescis longos regibus esse manus? Knowest thou not that kings have long hands?— filed under Royalty
Hi narrata ferunt alio; mensuraque ficti Crescit et auditus aliquid novus adjicit auctor. Some report elsewhere whatever is told. them; the measure of fiction always increases, and each fresh narrator adds some thing to what he has heard.— filed under Rumor
Pudet hæc opprobria nobis Et dici potuisse et non potuisse repelli. I am not ashamed that these reproaches can be cast upon us, and that they can not be repelled.— filed under Shame
Here shame dissuades him, there his fear prevails, And each by turns his aching heart assails.— filed under Ships
Exigua est virtus, præstare silentia rebus; Et contra gravis est culpa, tacenda loqui. To be silent is but a small virtue; but it is a serious fault to reveal secrets.— filed under Silence
The greatest truths are the simplest: and so are the greatest men. J. C. AND A. W. HARE-Guesses at Truth. Her head was bare; But for her native ornament of hair; Which in a simple knot was tied above, Sweet negligence, unheeded bait of love!— filed under Sin
Cui peccare licet peccat minus. Ipsa potestas Semina nequitiæ languidiora facit. He who has it in his power to commit sin, is less inclined to do so. The very idea of being able, weakens the desire.— filed under Sin
Alliciunt somnos tempus motusque merumque. Time, motion and wine cause sleep.— filed under Sleep
Deus est in pectore nostro. There is a divinity within our breast.— filed under Speech
Est deus in nobis, et sunt commercia cœli. Sedibus ætheriis spiritus ille venit. There is a god within us, and we have intercourse with heaven. That spirit comes from abodes on high.— filed under Speech
Sæpe tacens vocem verbaque vultus habet. The silent countenance often speaks.— filed under Speech
Leniter ex merito quidquid patiare ferendum est, Quæ venit indigne pœna dolenda venit. What is deservedly suffered must be borne with calmness, but when the pain is unmerited, the grief is resistless.— filed under Suffering
TERENCE-Andria. I. 1. 99. Est quædam flere voluptas; Expletur lacrymis egeriturque dolor. It is some relief to weep; grief is satisfied and carried off by tears.— filed under Tears
Caducis Percussu crebro saxa cavantur aquis. Stones are hollowed out by the constant dropping of water.— filed under Time
Labitur occulte, fallitque volubilis ætas, Ut celer admissis labitur amnis aquis. Time steals on and escapes us, like the swift river that glides on with rapid stream.— filed under Time
Temporis ars medicina fere est. Time is generally the best medicine.— filed under Time
Tempus edax rerum. Time that devours all things.— filed under Time
Adjuvat in bello pacatæ ramus olivæ. In war the olive branch of peace is of use.— filed under War
Præbet mihi littera linguam: Et, si non liceat scribere, mutus ero. This letter gives me a tongue; and were I not allowed to write, I should be dumb.— filed under Youth
Scripta ferunt annos; scriptis Agamemnona nosti, Et quisquis contra vel simul arma tulit. Writings survive the years; it is by writings that you know Agamemnon, and those who fought for or against him.— filed under Youth
III. 227. Dissimiles hic vir, et ille puer. How different from the present man was the youth of earlier days i— filed under Youth
Cujus est solum, ejus est usque ad cœlum. He who owns the soil, owns up to the sky. S. Law Maxim. Continuâ messe senescit ager. A field becomes exhausted by constant tillage.— filed under Agriculture
Tempus in agrorum cultu consumere dulce est. Time spent in the cultivation of the fields passes very pleasantly. น.— filed under Agriculture
Discors concordia. Agreeing to differ.— filed under Agreement
Cœpisti melius quam desinis. Ultima primis cedunt. Thou beginnest better than thou endest. The last is inferior to the first.— filed under Beginnings
Principiis obsta: sero medicina paratur, Cum mala per longas convaluere moras. Resist beginnings: it is too late to employ medicine when the evil has grown strong by inveterate habit.— filed under Beginnings
Conscia mens recti famæ mendacia risit: Sed nos in vitium credula turba sumus. The mind conscious of innocence despises false reports: but we are a set always ready to believe a scandal.— filed under Xxiii
Sæpe creat molles aspera spina rosas. The prickly thorn often bears soft roses.— filed under Clxxv
Acer et ad palmæ per se cursurus honores, Si tamen horteris fortius ibit equus. The spirited horse, which will of itself strive to beat in the race, will run still more swiftly if encouraged.— filed under Contest
Timidi est optare necem. To wish for death is a coward's part. C.— filed under Cclxvii
Leve fit quod bene fertur onus. The burden which is well borne becomes light.— filed under Fortitude
Vive sine invidiâ, mollesque inglorius annos Exige; amicitias et tibi junge pares. May you live unenvied, and pass many pleasant years unknown to fame; and also have congenial friends.— filed under Generosity
Conveniens homini est hominem servare voluptas. Et melius nullâ quæritur arte favor. It is a pleasure appropriate to man, for him to save a fellow-man, and gratitude is acquired in no better way.— filed under Generosity
Gestis Alexandri Magni. VIII. 8. 11. Gratia pro rebus merito debetur inemtis. Thanks are justly due for things got without purchase.— filed under Xxxiii
Cernis ut ignavum corrumpant otia corpus Ut capiant vitium ni moveantur aquæ. Thou seest how sloth wastes the sluggish body, as water is corrupted unless it moves.— filed under Indolence
Sunt superis sua jura. The gods have their own laws.— filed under Law
Os homini sublime dedit cœlumque tueri Jussit; et erectos ad sidera tollere vultus. God gave man an upright countenance to survey the heavens, and to look upward to the stars.— filed under Lying
Dulcia non ferimus; succo renovamus succo renovamus amaro. We do not bear sweets; we are recruited by a bitter potion.— filed under Medicine
Horrea formicæ tendunt ad inania nunquam, Nullus ad amissas ibit amicus opes. Ants do not bend their ways to empty barns, so no friend will visit the place of departed wealth.— filed under Misappropriation
Mensque pati durum sustinet ægra nihil. The sick mind can not bear anything harsh.— filed under Misappropriation
Mens sola loco non exulat. The mind alone can not be exiled.— filed under Misappropriation
Mitius exilium faciunt loca. The place makes the banishment more bearable.— filed under Place
Opum furiata cupido. The ungovernable passion for wealth. C.— filed under Riches
IX. 2.. Interdum lacrymæ pondera vocis habent. Tears are sometimes as weighty as words.— filed under Swearing
Est in aquâ dulci non invidiosa voluptas. There is no small pleasure in pure water.— filed under Thirst
Utendum est ætate; cito pede labitur ætas. We must improve our time; time goes with rapid foot.— filed under Traveling
Non opus est verbis, credite rebus. There is no need of words; believe facts.— filed under Xxvi
Ludit in humanis divina potentia rebus, Et certam præsens vix habet hora fidem. Heaven makes sport of human affairs, and the present hour gives no sure promise of the next.— filed under Uncertainty
Omnia sunt hominum tenui pendentia filo : Et subito casu, quæ valuere, ruunt. All human things hang on a slender thread: the strongest fall with a sudden crash.— filed under Uncertainty
Perfer et obdura; dolor hic tibi proderit olim. Have patience and endure; this unhappiness will one day be beneficial.— filed under Unhappiness