Top 39 Quotes & Sayings by Cato the Elder

Explore popular quotes and sayings by a Roman statesman Cato the Elder.

Last updated on November 23, 2024.

Marcus Porcius Cato, also known as Cato the Censor, the Elder and the Wise, was a Roman soldier, senator, and historian known for his conservatism and opposition to Hellenization. He was the first to write history in Latin with his Origines, a now lost work on the history of Rome. His work De agri cultura, a rambling work on agriculture, farming, rituals, and recipes, is the oldest extant prose written in the Latin language. His epithet "Elder" distinguishes him from his equally famous great-grandson Cato the Younger, who opposed Julius Caesar.

Roman - Statesman | 234 BC - 149 BC

Source: Wikipedia

All mankind rules its women, and we rule all mankind, but our women rule us.

Cato the Elder

After I'm dead I'd rather have people ask why I have no monument than why I have one.

Cato the Elder

An orator is a good man who is skilled in speaking.

Cato the Elder

Anger so clouds the mind that it cannot perceive the truth.

Cato the Elder

Suffer women once to arrive at an equality with you, and they will from that moment become your superiors.

Cato the Elder

Patience is the greatest of all virtues.

Cato the Elder

After I am dead, I would rather have men ask why Cato has no monument than why he had one.

Cato the Elder

The worst ruler is one who cannot rule himself.

Cato the Elder

When you have arrived at your country house and have saluted your household, you should make the rounds of the farm the same day, if possible; if not, then certainly the next day. When you have observed how the field work has progressed, what things have been done, and what remains undone, you should summon your overseer the next day, and should call for a report of what work has been done in good season and why it has not been possible to complete the rest, and what wine and corn and other crops have been gathered.

Cato the Elder

From lightest words sometimes the direst quarrel springs.

Cato the Elder

I can pardon everybody's mistakes except my own.

Cato the Elder

Cessation of work is not accompanied by cessation of expenses

Cato the Elder

Furthermore, I think Carthage must be destroyed.

Cato the Elder

I prefer to do right and get no thanks than to do wrong and receive no punishment.

Cato the Elder

I think the first virtue is to restrain the tongue; he approaches nearest to gods who knows how to be silent, even though he is in the right.

Cato the Elder

An angry man opens his mouth and shuts his eyes.

Cato the Elder

Even though work stops, expenses run on.

Cato the Elder

Farming, if you do one thing late, you will be late in all your work.

Cato the Elder

If you are ruled by mind you are a king; if by body, a slave.

Cato the Elder

We cannot control the evil tongues of others; but a good life enables us to disregard them.

Cato the Elder

Lighter is the wound foreseen.

Cato the Elder

Wise men profit more from fools than fools from wise men; for the wise men shun the mistakes of fools, but fools do not imitate the successes of the wise.

Cato the Elder

Buy not what you want, but what you have need of; what you do not want is dear at a farthing.

Cato the Elder

He who fears death has already lost the life he covets.

Cato the Elder

Tis sometimes the height of wisdom to feign stupidity.

Cato the Elder

The hero saves us. Praise the hero! Now, who will save us from the hero?

Cato the Elder

Moreover, I consider that Carthage should be destroyed.

Cato the Elder

When you have decided to purchase a farm, be careful not to buy rashly; do not spare your visits and be not content with a single tour of inspection. The more you go, the more will the place please you, if it be worth your attention. Give heed to the appearance of the neighbourhood, - a flourishing country should show its prosperity. "When you go in, look about, so that, when needs be, you can find your way out.

Cato the Elder

It is a difficult matter to argue with the belly since it has no ears.

Cato the Elder

Speech is the gift of all, but the thought of few.

Cato the Elder

Wise men learn more from fools than fools from the wise.

Cato the Elder

He is nearest to the gods who knows how to be silent.

Cato the Elder

Be firm or mild as the occasion may require.

Cato the Elder

Grasp the subject, the words will follow.

Cato the Elder

Woman is a violent and uncontrolled animal, and it is useless to let go the reins and then expect her not to kick over the traces. You must keep her on a tight rein . . . Women want total freedom or rather - to call things by their names - total licence. If you allow them to achieve complete equality with men, do you think they will be easier to live with? Not at all. Once they have achieved equality, they will be your masters . . .

Cato the Elder

Those who are serious in ridiculous matters will be ridiculous in serious matters.

Cato the Elder

There is a wide difference between true courage and a mere contempt of life.

Cato the Elder

Between the mouth and the morsel many things may happen.

Cato the Elder