Pliny the Younger Quotes

Ut satius unum aliquid insigniter facere quam plura mediocriter, ita plurima mediocriter, si non possis unum aliquid insigniter.

He used to say that "no book was so bad but that some good might be got out of it."

Omnes enim, qui gloria famaque ducuntur, mirum in modum assensio et laus a minoribus etiam profecta delectat.

Proinde, dum suppetit vita, enitamur ut mors quam paucissima quae abolere possit inveniat.

Usus, magister egregius.

Vita hominum altos recessus magnasque latebras habet.

Nihil peccat, nisi quod nihil peccat.

The truth is, the generality of mankind stand in awe of public opinion, while conscience is feared only by the few.

Ornat haec magnitudo animi, quae nihil ad ostentationem, omnia ad conscientiam refert recteque facti non ex populi sermone mercedem, sed ex facto petit.

This expression of ours, "Father of a family."

Falsum est nimirum quod creditur vulgo, testamenta hominum speculum esse morum.

For my part, I regard every death as cruel and premature, that removes one who is preparing some immortal work.

Neque enim soli iudicant qui maligne legunt.

Oblige people never so often, and, if you deny them on a single point, they remember nothing but that refusal.

Dicere etiam solebat nullum esse librum tam malum ut non aliqua parte prodesset..