Plautus Quotes

The man that comforts a desponding friend with words alone, does nothing. He’s a friend indeed who proves himself a friend in need.

Te de aliis, quam alios de te suavius est fieri doctos.

These things are not for the best, nor as I think they ought to be; but still they are better than that which is downright bad. (translator Henry Thomas Riley)

It is better to learn from the mistakes of others than that others should learn from you.

For true it is, good oft befalls us when we least expect it. And true it is, that when we trust in hope, we’re often disappointed.

Each man reaps on his own farm.

Feliciter is sapit, qui alieno periculo sapit.

Vincite virtute vera.

Nequam illud verbum‘st, Bene vult, nisi qui bene facit.

Bibite ! pergraecamini ! Este ! effercite vos !

Qui e nuce nucleum esse vult, frangat nucem.

You cannot eat your cake and have it too, unless you think your money is immortal. The fool too late, his substance eaten up, reckons the cost. (translator Thornton)

Nihil est miserius, quam animus hominis conscius.

Cogitato, mus pusillus quam sit sapiens bestia, aetatem qui uni cubili nunquam committit suam : quia si unum ostium obsideatur, aliud perfugium gerit.

The valiant profit more
Their country, than the finest cleverest speakers.