Cato the Elder Quotes

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 ...

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

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.

However often you go, a good piece of a land will please you more at each visit.

True fortitude is seen in great exploits,
That justice warrants, and that wisdom guides,
All else is towering frenzy and distraction.

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.

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

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

Seize the thing, the words will follow.

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

These are the duties of the overseer: He should maintain discipline. He should observe the feast days. He should respect the rights of others and steadfastly uphold his own. He should settle all quarrels among the hands; If any one is at fault he should administer the punishment. He should take care that no one on the place is in want, or lacks food or drink; in this respect he can afford to be generous, for he will thus more easily prevent picking and stealing.

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

Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.

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

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