WIST Quotations

Plutarch -- “Caesar,” Lives [tr. Dryden (1693)]

Dave — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 13:48:00 +0000

When it was told that Antony and Dolabella were in a plot against him, Caesar said he did not fear such fat, luxurious men, but rather the pale, lean fellows, meaning Cassius and Brutus.

Plutarch (AD 46-127) Greek historian, biographer, essayist [Mestrius Plutarchos]
“Caesar,” Lives [tr. Dryden (1693)]

Plutarch -- “Of the Training of Children,” Morals

Dave — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:05:31 +0000

It is indeed desirable to be well descended, but the glory belongs to our ancestors.

Plutarch (AD 46-127) Greek historian, biographer, essayist [Mestrius Plutarchos]
“Of the Training of Children,” Morals

Plutarch -- “Poplicola and Colon Compared,” Parallel Lives [tr. Dryden (1693)]

Dave — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:39:08 +0000

Judgement is to be made of actions in according to the times in which they were performed.

Plutarch (AD 46-127) Greek historian, biographer, essayist [Mestrius Plutarchos]
“Poplicola and Colon Compared,” Parallel Lives [tr. Dryden (1693)]

Plutarch -- (Attributed)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

Let us carefully observe those good qualities wherein our enemies excel us; and endeavor to excel them, by avoiding what is faulty, and imitating what is excellent in them.

Plutarch (AD 46-127) Greek historian, biographer, essayist [Mestrius Plutarchos]
(Attributed)

Sometimes attributed to Plato.

Plutarch -- (Attributed)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

To find fault is easy; to do better may be difficult.

Plutarch (AD 46-127) Greek historian, biographer, essayist [Mestrius Plutarchos]
(Attributed)

Plutarch -- (Attributed)

Dave — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:57:22 +0000

Prosperity is no just scale; adversity is the only balance to weigh friends.

Plutarch (AD 46-127) Greek historian, biographer, essayist [Mestrius Plutarchos]
(Attributed)

In Watson Adams, The Rule of Life: or a Collection of Select Moral Sentences (1834)

Plutarch -- Life of Phocion

Dave — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:23:16 +0000

Even a nod from a person who is esteemed is of more force than a thousand arguments or studied sentences from others.

Plutarch (AD 46-127) Greek historian, biographer, essayist [Mestrius Plutarchos]
Life of Phocion

Plutarch -- Moral Writings [Moralia], “On the Education of Children,” 4.3 [tr. Babbitt and Goodwin]

Dave — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 00:34:15 +0000

Character is simply habit long continued.

Plutarch (AD 46-127) Greek historian, biographer, essayist [Mestrius Plutarchos]
Moral Writings [Moralia], “On the Education of Children,” 4.3 [tr. Babbitt and Goodwin]
(Source)

Plutarch -- Moralia, Vol. 10 “Precepts of Statecraft” (13) [tr. Helmbold (1936)]

Dave — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 03:40:15 +0000

Base and absurd requests he should reject, not harshly but gently, informing the askers by way of consolation that the requests are not in accord with their own excellence and reputation.

Plutarch (AD 46-127) Greek historian, biographer, essayist [Mestrius Plutarchos]
Moralia, Vol. 10 “Precepts of Statecraft” (13) [tr. Helmbold (1936)]

Plutarch -- Morals [Moralia], “Conjugal Precepts” #46

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

When the candles are out, all women are fair.

Plutarch (AD 46-127) Greek historian, biographer, essayist [Mestrius Plutarchos]
Morals [Moralia], “Conjugal Precepts” #46
(Source)

Alt. trans.: "All women are alike when the lamp is put out."

Plutarch -- Morals [Moralia], “On Listening to Lectures”

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.

Plutarch (AD 46-127) Greek historian, biographer, essayist [Mestrius Plutarchos]
Morals [Moralia], “On Listening to Lectures”

Alt trans.: "The correct analogy for the mind is not a vessel that needs filling, but wood that needs igniting."

Plutarch -- Parallel Lives, “Agisilaus” [tr. Dryden (1693)]

Dave — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 14:55:10 +0000

It is circumstance and proper measure that give an action its character, and make it either good or bad.

Plutarch (AD 46-127) Greek historian, biographer, essayist [Mestrius Plutarchos]
Parallel Lives, “Agisilaus” [tr. Dryden (1693)]

Plutarch -- Parallel Lives, “Lysander” [tr. Leman (1688)]

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

He who cheats with an oath acknowledges that he is afraid of his enemy, but that he also thinks little of God.

[ὁ γὰρ ὅρκῳ παρακρουόμενος τὸν μὲν ἐχθρὸν ὁμολογεῖ δεδιέναι, τοῦ δὲ θεοῦ καταφρονεῖν.]

Plutarch (AD 46-127) Greek historian, biographer, essayist [Mestrius Plutarchos]
Parallel Lives, “Lysander” [tr. Leman (1688)]
(Source)

(Source (Greek))

Criticizing the Spartan leader's use of oathbreaking to gain advantage over his enemies.

See Montaigne (1578).

Plutarch -- Parallel Lives, “Policola and Colon Compared” [Dryden Ed. (1693)]

Dave — Wed, 11 May 2011 12:46:55 +0000

Judgment is to be made of actions according to the times in which they were performed.

Plutarch (AD 46-127) Greek historian, biographer, essayist [Mestrius Plutarchos]
Parallel Lives, “Policola and Colon Compared” [Dryden Ed. (1693)]