Plutarch

Quotes

The whole life of man is but a point of time; let us enjoy it.
So very difficult a matter is it to trace and find out the truth of anything by history.
Rest is the sweet sauce of labor.
It is certainly desirable to be well descended, but the glory belongs to our ancestors.
To find a fault is easy; to do better may be difficult.
Know how to listen, and you will profit even from those who talk badly.
Do not speak of your happiness to one less fortunate than yourself.
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.
Prosperity is no just scale; adversity is the only balance to weigh friends.
To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future.
The giving of riches and honors to a wicked man is like giving strong wine to him that hath a fever.
Nothing is harder to direct than a man in prosperity; nothing more easily managed than one is adversity.
In words are seen the state of mind and character and disposition of the speaker.
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.
Perseverance is more prevailing than violence; and many things which cannot be overcome when they are together, yield themselves up when taken little by little.
The very spring and root of honesty and virtue lie in good education.
An old doting fool, with one foot already in the grave.
When the candles are out all women are fair.
For to err in opinion, though it be not the part of wise men, is at least human.
To find fault is easy; to do better may be difficult.
No beast is more savage than man when possessed with power answerable to his rage.
What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.