Cato the Elder Quotes

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

Bitter are the roots of study, but how sweet their fruit.

I would much rather have men ask why I have no statue, than why I have one.

Emas non quod opus est, sed quod necesse est. Quod non opus est, asse carum est.

Rem tene, verba sequentur.

Save for...Caesar no one while sober and of sound mind has entered upon public affairs for the purpose of ruining the commonwealth.

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

The pursuits of commerce would be as admirable as they are profitable if they were not subject to so great risks: and so, likewise, of banking, if it was always honestly conducted. For our ancestors considered, and so ordained in their laws, that, while the thief should be cast in double damages, the usurer should make four-fold restitution.

I begin to speak only when I'm certain what I'll say isn't better left unsaid.

I begin to speak only when I’m certain what I’ll say isn’t better left unsaid.

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

The overseer should be responsible for the duties of the housekeeper. If the master has given her to you for a wife, you should be satisfied with her, and she should respect you. Require that she be not given to wasteful habits; that she does not gossip with the neighbours and other women. She should not receive visitors either in the kitchen or in her own quarters. She should not go out to parties, nor should she gad about.

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.

The accounts of money, supplies and provisions should then be considered. The overseer should report what wine and oil has been sold, what price he got, what is on hand, and what remains for sale. Security should be taken for such accounts as ought to be secured. All other unsettled matters should be agreed upon. If any thing is needed for the coming year, it should be bought; every thing which is not needed should be sold. Whatever there is for lease should be leased.

A farm is like a man--however great the income, if there is extravagance but little is left.