Top 721 Quotes & Sayings by Ovid - Page 12

The gods have their own laws. [Lat., Sunt superis sua jura.]

The glow of inspiration warms us; this holy rapture springs from the seeds of the Divine mind sown in man.

Very slight violence will break that which has once been cracked.

We suffer by our proximity. [Who get a blow intended for another.]

Anything cracked will shatter at a touch.

To have properly studied the liberal sciences gives a polish to our manners, and removes all awkwardness.

What is harder than stone? What more soft than water? Nevertheless hard though the rock be, it is hollowed by the wave.

There is a certain kind of pleasure in weeping.

It is the mind that makes the man, and our vigour is in our immortal soul.

The ungovernable passion for wealth. [Lat., Opum furiata cupido.]

It is expedient that there should be gods, and, since it is expedient, let us believe that gods exist.

The act is judged of by the event.

Thus all things altered. Nothing dies. And here and there the unbodied spirit flies.

Envy, slothful vice, Never makes its way in lofty characters, But, like the skulking viper, creeps and crawls Close to the ground.

Giving calls for genius.

In war the olive branch of peace is of use. [Lat., Adjuvat in bello pacatae ramus olivae.]

There is no brotherhood between love and dignity, Nor can they share the same abode.

Fas est ab hoste doceri. One should learn even from one's enemies.

What is now an act of reason, was but blind impulse.

While strength and years permit, endure labor; soon bent old age will come with silent foot. [Lat., Dum vires annique sinunt, tolerate labores. Jam veniet tacito curva senecta pede.]

Love is born of idleness and, once born, by idleness is fostered.

Our neighbour's crop is always more fruitful and his cattle produce more milk than our own.

A lover fears all that he believes.

Some people think that because they do the opposite of what they are asked to do, they have initiative

That, which has not its alternation of rest, will not last long.

I see and approve better things, but follow worse.

Had I not sinned what would there be for you to pardon. My fate has given you the opportunity for mercy.

Even the gods are moved by the voice of entreaty.

A pleasing countenance is no light advantage.

When all the other animals, downcast looked upon the earth, he [Prometheus] gave a face raised on high to man, and commanded him to see the sky and raise his high eyes to the stars.

He who can simulate sanity will be sane.

Love's dominion, like a kings, admits of no partition.

Sleep, nature's rest, divine tranquility, That brings peace to the mind.

There is a good deal in a man's mode of eating.

Honesty, by evil fortune tried, Finds in adversity the seed of praise.

As God is propitiated by the blood of a hundred bulls, so also is he by the smallest offering of incense. [Lat., Sed tamen ut fuso taurorum sanguine centum, Sic capitur minimo thuris honore deux.]

Love that is fed by jealousy dies hard.

Love is a naked child: do you think he has pockets for money?

A boar is often held by a not-so-large dog.

It is some alleviation to ills we cannot cure to speak of them.

Eurydice, dying now a second time, uttered no complaint against her husband. What was there to complain of, but that she had been loved?

Fortune resists half-hearted prayers.

You put aside the work that's done, and seek some work to do.

Dripping water hollows out a stone

If you would conquer Love, he must be fought At his first onslaught; sprinkle but a drop Of water, the new-kindled flame expires.

You start in April and cross to the time of May One has you as it leaves, one as it comes Since the edges of these months are yours and defer To you, either of them suits your praises. The Circus continues and the theatre's lauded palm, Let this song, too, join the Circus spectacle.

Sleep ... peace of the soul, who puttest care to flight.

Destroy our leisure and you break love's bow.

The more highminded a man is the more easily is his anger appeased.

Judgement of beauty can err, what with the wine and the dark.

She only is chaste, who is chaste where there is no danger of detection: she who does not, because she may not, does.

Whatever charm thou hast, be charming.

In sweet water there is a pleasure ungrudged by anyone.

Ovid lies here, the poet, skilled in love's gentle sport; By his own talents he worked his undoing. Oh, you who pass by, if ever you have loved, Think it not a burden to wish him calm repose.

Things which of themselves avail nothing, when united become powerful.

Though strength be wanting, the will to action Merits praise.

This victory will be your I ruin.

Though the strength is lacking, yet the willingness is commendable.

I am above being injured by fortune, though she steals away much, more will remain with me. The blessing I now enjoy transcend fear.

Nothing is so high and above all danger that is not below and in the power of God. [Lat., Nihil ita sublime est, supraque pericula tendit Non sit ut inferius suppositumque deo.]