Plautus Quotes

Nothing so wretched as a guilty conscience.

Nihil est miserius, quam animus hominis conscius.

Insperata accidunt magis saepe quam que speres.

Ego verum amo, verum vol mihi dici : mendacem odi.

Bibite ! pergraecamini ! Este ! effercite vos !

Hospes nullus tam in amici hospitium divorti potest, quin, ubi triduum continuum fuerit, jam odiosis siet.

He gains wisdom in a happy way, who gains it by another’s experience.

Feliciter is sapit, qui alieno periculo sapit.

You are seeking a knot in a bulrush.

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

Nihil agit, qui diffidentem verbis solatus suis. Is est amicus, qui in re dubia te juvat, ubi re est opus.

Nulli est homini perpetuum bonum.

Qui e nuce nucleum esse vult, frangat nucem.

Vincite virtute vera.

Valour’s the best reward ; ‘tis valour that surpasses all things else : our liberty, our safety, life, estate, our parents, children, country, are by this preserved, protected : valour everything comprises in itself ; and every good awaits the man who is possess’d of valour. (translator Thornton)