Human nature is so constituted, that all see and judge better in the affairs of other men than in their own.
Terence (186?-159 BC) African-Roman dramatist [Publius Terentius Afer]
(Attributed)
Quotations by:
Terence
Jupiter, now assuredly is the time when I could readily consent to be slain, lest life should sully this ecstasy with some disaster.
Terence (186?-159 BC) African-Roman dramatist [Publius Terentius Afer]
Eunuchus, Act 3, sc. 5, l. 2 (l. 550)
Without Ceres and Bacchus, Venus freezes.
[Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus.]
Terence (186?-159 BC) African-Roman dramatist [Publius Terentius Afer]
Eunuchus, Act 4, l. 5
Ceres=bread, Bacchus=wine.
He is wise who tries everything before arms.
Terence (186?-159 BC) African-Roman dramatist [Publius Terentius Afer]
Eunuchus, Act 4, sc. 7, l. 19 (l. 789)
Alt. trans.: "It behooves a prudent person to make trial of everything before arms."
Time removes distress.
[Diem adimere aegritudinem hominibus.]
Terence (186?-159 BC) African-Roman dramatist [Publius Terentius Afer]
Heauton Timoroumenos [The Self-Tormentor], Act 3, sc. 1, l. 12 (l. 421)
Alt. trans.: "Time heals all wounds", "Time assuages sorrow." Referred to as an old saying.
Extreme law is often extreme injustice.
[Ius summum saepe summa malitia est.]
Terence (186?-159 BC) African-Roman dramatist [Publius Terentius Afer]
Heauton Timoroumenos [The Self-Tormentor], Act 4, sc. 5, l. 48 (l. 796)
Alternate translations:
- "The highest law is often the greatest wrong."
- "Extreme justice is often extreme malice."
- "Rigorous law is often rigorous injustice."
How many things, both just and unjust, are sanctioned by custom!
Terence (186?-159 BC) African-Roman dramatist [Publius Terentius Afer]
Heauton Timoroumenos [The Self-Tormentor], Act 4, sc. 7, l. 11 (l. 839)
I am human, I consider nothing human is alien to me.
[Homo sum: humani nil a me alienum puto.]
Terence (186?-159 BC) African-Roman dramatist [Publius Terentius Afer]
Heauton Timoroumenos [The Self-Tormentor], l. 77
Alt. trans.:
- "I am human [being], I consider nothing human to be alien to me."
- "I am a human being, so there is nothing human I do not feel to be my concern."
- "I am a human being; nothing human is alien to me."
Nothing is so easy but it is difficult when you do it reluctantly.
Terence (186?-159 BC) African-Roman dramatist [Publius Terentius Afer]
Heuton timoroumenos [The Self-Tormentor], l. 806 [tr. J. Sergeaunt (1912)]
Alt trans: "There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when you do it reluctantly."
Fortune favors the bold.
[Fortis fortuna adiuvat.]
Terence (186?-159 BC) African-Roman dramatist [Publius Terentius Afer]
Phormio, Act I, sc. 4, l. 25 (l. 203)
Alt trans.:
- "Fortune favors the brave."
- "Fortune helps the brave."
There are as many opinions as there are people: to each his own custom.
[Quot homines, tot sententiæ: suo quoque mos.]
Terence (186?-159 BC) African-Roman dramatist [Publius Terentius Afer]
Phormio, Act ii, sc. 4, l.14 (l. 454)
Alt trans.:
- "There are as many opinions as there are people: everyone has their own way of doing things."
- "So many men, so many opinions: to each his own way."
- "As many men, so many minds; every one his own way."
In fact, nothing is ever said that has not been said before.
[Nullum est iam dictum quod non dictum sit prius.]
Terence (186?-159 BC) African-Roman dramatist [Publius Terentius Afer]
The Eunuch [Eunuchus], l. 41, Prologue (161 BC) [tr. Bolton (2019)]
(Source)
Alternate translations:
- "In short, there's Nothing say'd , but what before / May have been say'd." [tr. Cooke (1755)]
- "In fine, nothing can be said now, that may not have been said before." [tr. Patrick (1767)]
- "Nothing's said now, but has been said before." [tr. Coleman (1768)]
- "In fine, nothing is said now that has not been said before." [tr. Riley (1853)]
- "Ah, there is nothing new beneath the sun, / Whatever is, or may be, has been done." [tr. Rose (1870)]
- "In fact nothing is said that has not been said before." [tr. Sargeaunt (1918)]
- "The bottom line: you can't say anything that's never been said before." [tr. Christenson (2012)]
- There's nothing ever said, unsaid before. [tr. Bolton (2019), shortened Prologue]
We all, when we are well, give good advice to the sick.
Terence (186?-159 BC) African-Roman dramatist [Publius Terentius Afer]
The Lady of Andros [Andria]
Moderation in all things.
[Ne quid nimis.]
Terence (186?-159 BC) African-Roman dramatist [Publius Terentius Afer]
The Lady of Andros [Andria], l. 61
See Cleobulus.