Ovid
Ovid
Publius Ovidius Naso, known as Ovid in the English-speaking world, was a Roman poet who lived during the reign of Augustus. He was a contemporary of the older Virgil and Horace with whom he is often ranked as one of the three canonical poets of Latin literature. The Imperial scholar Quintilian considered him the last of the Latin love elegists. He enjoyed enormous popularity, but, in one of the mysteries of literary history, he was sent by Augustus into exile...
NationalityRoman
ProfessionPoet
mad desire
Mad desire, when it has the most, longs for more
mind disease
Diseases of the mind impair the bodily powers.
swimming water hook
He who holds the hook is aware in what waters many fish are swimming.
facts fiction speak
I shall speak facts; but some will say I deal in fiction.
voice faces silent
Often a silent face has voice and words.
envy cease
Envy feeds on the living. It ceases when they are dead.
envy genius depreciate
Envy depreciates the genius of the great Homer.
enemy taught
It is good to be taught even by an enemy
hawks dove trembling
As the hawk is wont to pursue the trembling doves.
disease body sickness
Sickness seizes the body from bad ventilation.
beauty heaven boast
Beauty is heaven's gift, and how few can boast of beauty.
flower opportunity fly-away
Our advantages fly away without aid. Pluck the flower. [Lat., Nostra sine auxilio fugiunt bona. Carpite florem.]
light flames fans
A light breath fans the flame, a violent gust extinguishes it.
men soldier appreciated
A soldier when aged is not appreciated; the love of an old man sickens.