Plautus
Plautus
Titus Maccius Plautus, commonly known as Plautus, was a Roman playwright of the Old Latin period. His comedies are the earliest Latin literary works to have survived in their entirety. He wrote Palliata comoedia, the genre devised by the innovator of Latin literature, Livius Andronicus. The word Plautine /ˈplɔːtaɪn/ refers to both Plautus's own works and works similar to or influenced by his...
NationalityRoman
ProfessionPlaywright
gratitude wrath giving
If you do anything well, gratitude is lighter than a feather; if you give offense in anything, people's wrath is as heavy as lead.
business two giving
Who wishes to give himself an abundance of business let him equip these two things, a ship and a woman. For no two things involve more business, if you have begun to fit them out. Nor are these two things ever sufficiently adorned, nor is any excess of adornment enough for them. [Lat., Negotii sibi qui volet vim parare, Navem et mulierem, haec duo comparato. Nam nullae magis res duae plus negotii Habent, forte si occeperis exornare. Neque unquam satis hae duae res ornantur, Neque eis ulla ornandi satis satietas est.]
men wrath giving
Give assistance, and receive thanks lighter than a feather: injure a man, and his wrath will be like lead.
men giving profit
The gods give that man some profit to whom they are propitious. [Lat., Cui homini dii propitii sunt aliquid objiciunt lucri.]
hope good-things disappointed
For I know that many good things have happened to many, when least expected; and that many hopes have been disappointed.
years ability
Wisdom is not attained by years, but by ability
best
Keep what you have; the known evil is best.
composed friendship inhabiting
Friendship is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.
adorned beauty character gift jewels rather
I would rather be adorned by beauty of character than jewels. Jewels are the gift of fortune, while character comes from within.
political politics doe
A mouse does not rely on just one hole.
holes mice
A mouse never entrusts his life to only one hole.
lying sight talent
The greatest talents often lie buried out of sight.
soil filth ornaments
Bad conduct soils the finest ornament more than filth.
men doe knows
Man is not man, but a wolf to those he does not know.