WIST Quotations

Publilius Syrus -- (Attributed)

Dave — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 18:59:41 +0000

It is a good thing to learn caution by the misfortunes of others.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
(Attributed)

Cited by Sir Richard Steele, The Guardian, #147 (29 Aug 1713).

Publilius Syrus -- Sentences [Sententiae], #296

Dave — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 21:11:26 +0000

Acquitting the guilty convicts the judge.

[Iudex damnatur cum nocens absolvitur.]

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sentences [Sententiae], #296
(Source)

Motto of the Edinburgh Review. Alt. trans.:

"When the guilty man is let off, the judge stands condemned."
"The judge is condemned when the criminal is acquitted." [tr. Lyman (1856), #868]

There were multiple collections made of Publilius Syrus' Sententiae in Antiquity and the Middle Ages. This appears in all of them, but often with different line/sentence numbers, incl. #256 and #257.

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 19:00:00 +0000

He threatens many who injures one.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 19:00:00 +0000

There is no fruit which is not bitter before it is ripe.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 19:00:00 +0000

The miser is as much in want of that which he has, as of that which he has not.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 19:00:00 +0000

The bow too tensely strung is easily broken.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 19:00:00 +0000

In quarreling, the truth is always lost.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Alt. trans.: "In excessive altercation, truth is lost."

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 19:00:00 +0000

Never thrust your sickle into another’s corn.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 19:00:00 +0000

Debt is the slavery of the free.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Dave — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 18:30:13 +0000

An angry man is again angry with himself when he returns to reason.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Dave — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:39:45 +0000

How unhappy is he who cannot forgive himself.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Dave — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:14:17 +0000

Wine has drowned more than the sea.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Alt. trans.: "Wine drowns more than the sea."

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Dave — Fri, 20 May 2016 15:22:48 +0000

He is free from danger who, even when safe, is on his guard.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 6

Dave — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 18:51:51 +0000

He doubly benefits the needy who gives quickly.

[Inopi beneficium bis dat, qui dat celeriter.]

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 6

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 7 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:51:59 +0000

To do two things at once is to do neither.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 7 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 12 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:33:52 +0000

A small loan makes a debtor; a great one, an enemy.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 12 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 16 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:24:58 +0000

We are interested in others when they are interested in us.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 16 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 69 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:24:23 +0000

What greater evil could you wish a miser than a long life?

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 69 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 108

Dave — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:28:23 +0000

A good reputation is more valuable than money.

[Honesta fama melior pecunia est.]

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 108

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 113 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 12:59:10 +0000

To spare the guilty is to injure the innocent.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 113 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 139

Dave — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:04:56 +0000

He who helps the guilty, shares the crime.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 139

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 146 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:29:51 +0000

Consult your conscience, rather than popular opinion.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 146 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 170 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 13:18:52 +0000

Patience is the cure for every sorrow.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 170 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 191 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:57:25 +0000

Whatever you can lose, reckon of no account.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 191 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 232 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:52:26 +0000

Pain will force even the truthful to speak falsely.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 232 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 254 [tr. Lyman (1862)

Dave — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 21:34:31 +0000

Many consult their reputation; but few their conscience.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 254 [tr. Lyman (1862)

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 265

Dave — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:23:49 +0000

What is left when honor is lost?

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 265

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 280

Dave — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:09:06 +0000

Fortune is like glass — the brighter the glitter, the more easily broken.

[Fortuna uitrea est: tum cum splendet frangitur.]

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 280

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 301 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 05:32:05 +0000

There are some remedies worse than the disease.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 301 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 357

Dave — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:48:25 +0000

A cock has great influence on his own dunghill.

[In sterculino plurimum gallus potest.]

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 357

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 358

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 19:00:00 +0000

Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.

[In tranquillo esse quisque gubernator potest.]

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 358

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 386 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:51:02 +0000

The madman thinks the rest of the world crazy.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 386 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 439

Dave — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:56:55 +0000

Practice is the best of all instructors.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 439

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 459

Dave — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:05:19 +0000

He who is bent on doing evil can never want occasion.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 459

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 467

Dave — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:24:13 +0000

Never find your delight in another’s misfortune.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 467

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 469

Dave — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:08:49 +0000

It is a bad plan that admits of no modification.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 469

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 507 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:41:54 +0000

An orator’s life is more convincing than his eloquence.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 507 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 524

Dave — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:24:44 +0000

A rolling stone gathers no moss.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 524

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 557

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 19:00:00 +0000

Nothing can be done at once hastily and prudently.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 557

See Howell (1659).

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 559

Dave — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:48:24 +0000

We desire nothing so much as what we ought not to have.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 559

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 584

Dave — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:35:56 +0000

No man is happy who does not think himself so.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 584

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 599 [tr. Lyman, Jr. (1862)]

Dave — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 13:19:36 +0000

Don’t consider how many you can please, but whom.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 599 [tr. Lyman, Jr. (1862)]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 621 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:23:45 +0000

How long is life to the wretched, how short for the happy!

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 621 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 633

Dave — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 01:19:07 +0000

Every day should be passed as if it were to be our last.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 633

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 688 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:56:14 +0000

A timid man sees dangers that do not exist.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 688 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 847

Dave — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:50:45 +0000

Everything is worth what its purchaser will pay for it.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 847

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 861 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:24:10 +0000

You are eloquent enough if truth speaks through you.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 861 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 870 [tr. Lyman, Jr (1862)]

Dave — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 13:04:01 +0000

Speak well of your friend in public, admonish him in secret.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 870 [tr. Lyman, Jr (1862)]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 911

Dave — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:22:13 +0000

Whom Fortune wishes to destroy she first makes mad.

[Stultum facit fortuna, quem vult perdere.]

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 911

From an ancient Greek proverb (5th century BC or earlier)

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 928 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 00:26:43 +0000

Suspicion begets suspicion.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 928 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 995

Dave — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:47:06 +0000

It is a consolation to the wretched to have companions in misery.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 995

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], #1058 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Tue, 31 May 2016 14:05:01 +0000

When we speak evil of others, we generally condemn ourselves.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], #1058 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], #1063 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 13:03:04 +0000

It is an embarrassment to the possessor to have more than he needs.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], #1063 [tr. Lyman (1862)]