Plutarch Quotes

And that which is often said of the volume and power of the human voice was then apparent to the eye. For ravens which chanced to be flying overhead fell down into the stadium. The cause of this was the rupture of the air; for when the voice is borne aloft loud and strong, the air is rent asunder by it and will not support flying creatures, but lets them fall, as if they were over a vacuum, unless, indeed, they are transfixed by a sort of blow, as of a weapon, and fall down dead. It is possible, too, that in such cases there is a whirling motion of the air, which becomes like a waterspout at sea with a refluent flow of the surges caused by their very volume.

Vultures are the most righteous of birds: they do not attack even the smallest living creature.

We ought indeed to shrink from and feel shame at what is base; but the nature which is over-cautious to avoid blame may be gentle and kindly, but cannot be great.

For if they do not receive the seed of good doctrines and share with their husbands in intellectual advancement, they, left to themselves, conceive many untoward ideas and low designs and emotions.

no beast is more savage than man when possessed with power answerable to his rage.

I don't need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.

I don't recall the beginning of what you said, and consequently I also don't grasp the middle sections, while the part at the end I don't approve of.

Best rear no lion in your state, ’tis true; But treat him like a lion if you do.

It is a thing of no great difficulty to raise objections against another man's oration, it is a very easy matter; but to produce a better in it's place is a work extremely troublesome.

He preferred an honest man that wooed his daughter, before a rich man. "I would rather," said Themistocles, "have a man that wants money than money that wants a man."

Whenever two notes are sounded in accord the tune is carried by the bass; and in like manner every activity in a virtuous household is carried on by both parties in agreement, but discloses the husband’s leadership and preferences.

Music, to create harmony, must investigate discord.

Denn man darf wohl suchen, einem ungünstigen Ereignis eine günstige Wendung zu geben.

A physician, after he had felt the pulse of Pausanias, and considered his constitution, saying, "He ails nothing," "It is because, sir," he replied, "I use none of your physic."

Courage stands halfway between cowardice and rashness, one of which is a lack, the other an excess of courage.