Top 15 Publilius Syrus Quotes

1st century BC Syrian-born Latin writer

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Publilius Syrus, (fl. 85 – 43 BC), was a Latin writer, best known for his sententiae. He was a Syrian who was brought as a slave to Italy, but by his wit and talent he won the favour of his master, who freed and educated him.

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Familiarity breeds contempt.

Let your life be pleasing to the multitude, and it can not be so to yourself.

Speech is a mirror of the soul; as a man speaks, so is he.

I have often regretted my speech, never my silence.

It is a consolation to the wretched to have companions in misery.

Either be silent or say something better than silence.

The poor man is ruined as soon as he begins to ape the rich.

Avarice is as destitute of what it has, as what it has not.

The greatest of empires, is the empire over one's self.

Prosperity makes friends, adversity tries them.

Better to be ignorant of a matter than half know it.

Everything is worth what its purchaser will pay for it.

They pass peaceful lives who ignore mine and thine.

No one knows what he can do till he tries.

It takes a long time to bring excellence to maturity.