Cato the Elder Quotes

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

Fronte capillata, post est occasio calva.

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.

Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.

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.

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.

The best way to keep good acts in memory is to refresh them with new.

Rem tene, verba sequentur.

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 ...

Those who commit private theft pass their lives in confinement and fetters; plunderers of the public, in gold and purple.

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.

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

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

Seize the thing, the words will follow.