Apuleius -- On the God of Socrates [De Deo Socratis]

Dave — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 20:35:31 +0000

Familiarity breeds contempt, while rarity wins admiration.

[Parit enim conversatio contemptum; raritas conciliat admirationem.]

Apuleius (AD c. 124 - c. 170) Numidian Roman writer, philosopher, rhetorician [Lucius Apuleius Madaurensis]
On the God of Socrates [De Deo Socratis]
(Source)

First recorded passage with this phrase. Discussing why the gods do not mingle with humanity. Alternate translations:

"Familiarity produces contempt, but infrequency conciliates admiration."
[tr. Taylor (1822)]
"Familiarity breeds contempt, but privacy gains admiration." [
Works of Apuleius (1853)]
"Familiarity breeds contempt, but concealment excites interest."
[National Review (1858-04)]

The first part of the phrase is also used as the modern moral the English translation of Aesop's "The Fox and the Lion." Applying this proverb to Aesop seems to have first happened in 1820; in classic Greek sources, the moral was more along the line that "acquaintance overcomes fear."

Emerson, Ralph Waldo -- Essay (1860), “Culture,” The Conduct of Life, ch. 4

Dave — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 23:21:01 +0000

A great part of courage is the courage of having done the thing before.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American essayist, lecturer, poet
Essay (1860), “Culture,” The Conduct of Life, ch. 4
(Source)

Based on a course of lectures by that name first delivered in Pittsburg (1851-03).

WIST Quotations

Apuleius -- On the God of Socrates [De Deo Socratis]

Emerson, Ralph Waldo -- Essay (1860), “Culture,” The Conduct of Life, ch. 4