Explore popular quotes and sayings by a Roman poet Ovid.
Last updated on December 21, 2024.
Love is a credulous thing.
He who says o'er much I love not is in love.
Change is always powerful. Let your hook be always cast.
In the pool where you least expect it, will be a fish.
When the roses are gone, nothing is left but the thorn.
He lives well who lives retired, and keeps
His wants within the limits of his means.
Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop
All things change, nothing is extinguished. There is nothing in the whole world which is permanent. Everything flows onward; all things are brought into being with a changing nature; the ages themselves glide by in constant movement.
The time will come when you will hate the sight of a mirror.
Passion persuades me one way, reason another. I see the better and approve it, but I follow the worse.
There is nothing constant in the universe. All ebb and flow, and every shape that's born, bears in its womb the seeds of change.
There is nothing in the whole world which abides. All things are in a state of ebb and flow, and every shadow passes away. Even time itself, like a river, is constantly gliding away .
This also, that I live, I consider a gift of God.
There is no excellence uncoupled with difficulties.
Pure women are only those who have not been asked.
When there is plenty of wine, sorrow and worry take wing.
The cause is hidden, but the result is known.
[Lat., Causa latet: vis est notissima.]
A ruler should be slow to punish and swift to reward.
Whilst you are prosperous you can number many friends; but when the storm comes you are left alone.
In our play we reveal what kind of people we are.
The result proves the wisdom of the act.
Let the man who does not wish to be idle, fall in love.
The purpose of law is to prevent the strong always having their way.
Men do not value a good deed
unless it brings a reward.
Simplicity is a jewel rarely found.
If you are not ready today, you will be even less so tomorrow.
What is harder than rock, or softer than water? Yet soft water hollows out hard rock. Persevere.
Ants do no bend their ways to empty barns, so no friend will visit the place of departed wealth.
[Lat., Horrea formicae tendunt ad inania nunquam
Nullus ad amissas ibit amicus opes.]
I flee who chases me and chase who flees me.
My hopes are not always realized, but I always hope.
[Lat., Et res non semper, spes mihi semper adest.]
Deadly poisons are concealed under sweet honey.
Only the mind cannot be sent into exile.
All other creatures look down toward the earth, but man was given a face so that might turn his eyes toward the stars and his gaze upon the sky.
The brave find a home in every land.
Skill makes love unending.
Stop short of your appetite; eat less than you are able.
I am the poet of the poor, because I was poor when I loved; since I could not give gifts, I gave words.
If you count the sunny and the cloudy days of the whole year, you will find that the sunshine predominates.
That's one of the greatest curses ever inflicted on the human race, memory.
You will be melancholy, if you are solitary.
I shall speak facts; but some will say I deal in fiction.
Love and dignity do not dwell together.
Work while your strength and years permit you; crooked age will by-and-by come upon you with silent foot.
Tears are at times as eloquent as words. [Weeping hath a voice.]
Be patient and tough; someday this pain will be useful to you.
Difficulty is what wakes up the genius.
Love is no assignment for cowards.
Nothing is stronger than habit.
Rest strengthens the body, the mind too is thus supported; but unremitting toil destroys both.
Those gifts are ever more precious which the giver has made precious.
To be silent is but a small virtue; but it is a serious fault to reveal secrets.
As the yellow gold is tried in fire, so the faith of friendship must be seen in adversity.
A wealthy traveller fears an ambush, while one with empty pockets journeys on in safety.
Our integrity is never worth so much as when we have parted with our all to keep it.
Perfer et obdura; dolor hic tibi proderit olim.
Have patience and endure; this unhappiness will one day be beneficial.
When a rose dies, a thorn is left behind.
Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence.
Misfortunes often sharpen the genius.
Occupy yourself, and you will be out of harm's way.
Anyone can be rich in promises.
When the character's right, looks are a greater delight.