For first, when Pompey made severe laws for punishing and l… - Plutarch

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For first, when Pompey made severe laws for punishing and laying great fines on those who had corrupted the people with gifts, Cato advised him to let alone what was already passed, and to provide for the future; for if he should look up past misdemeanors, it would be difficult to know where to stop; and if he would ordain new penalties, it would be unreasonable to punish men by a law, which at that time they had not the opportunity of breaking.

Plutarch

Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans · 1999 Verified in 1 source Sign up to see the complete provenance

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About Plutarch

Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus (c. 46 – 120) was a Greek historian, biographer, and essayist.

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Also Known As

Native Name: L. Mestrius Plutarchus • Πλούταρχος

Alternative Names: Plutarchus • Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus • Plutarchos • Plutarch of Chaeronea • Ploutarchos

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Jonathan Swift Seneca Samuel Johnson Francis Bacon Benjamin Franklin

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Pyrrhus said, "If I should overcome the Romans in another fight, I were undone."

Being about to pitch his camp in a likely place, and hearing there was no hay to be had for the cattle, "What a life," said he, "is ours, since we must live according to the convenience of asses!"

And he used to say that sleep and sexual intercourse, more than any thing else, made him conscious that he was mortal, implying that both weariness and pleasure arise from one and the same natural weakness.

For first, when Pompey made severe laws for punishing and laying great fines on those who had corrupted the people with gifts, Cato advised him to le… - Plutarch

About Plutarch

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Additional quotes by Plutarch