Pliny the Elder
Pliny the Elder
Gaius Plinius Secundus, better known as Pliny the Elder, was a Roman author, naturalist, and natural philosopher, as well as naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and personal friend of the emperor Vespasian...
NationalityRoman
ProfessionAuthor
flower wind skills
There is an herb named in Latine Convolvulus (i.e. with wind), growing among shrubs and bushes, with carrieth a flower not unlike to this Lilly, save that it yeeldeth no smell nor hath those chives within; for whitenesse they resemble one another very much, as if Nature in making this floure were a learning and trying her skill how to frame the Lilly indeed.
men mind great-business
The great business of man is to improve his mind, and govern his manners; all other projects and pursuits, whether in our power to compass or not, are only amusements.
dream morning wine
Wine maketh the band quivering, the eye watery, the night unquiet, lewd dreams, a stinking breath in the morning, and an utter forgetfulness of all things.
knowledge want causes
The most disgraceful cause of the scarcity [of remedies] is that even those who know them do not want to point them out, as if they were going to lose what they pass on to others.
flames sea purple
Made up of the glories of the most precious gems, to describe them is a matter of inexpressible difficulty. For there is amongst them the gentler fire of the ruby, there is the rich purple of the amethyst, there is the sea-green of the emerald, and all shining together in an indescribable union. Others, by an excessive heightening of their hues equal all the colours of the painter, others the flame of burning brimstone, or of a fire quickened by oil.
decision decision-making certainty
The only certainty is uncertainty
exercise land mind
As land is improved by sowing it with various seeds, so is the mind by exercising it with different studies.
life men given
Nature has given man no better thing than shortness of life.
sadness wine care
Wine refreshes the stomach, sharpens the appetite, blunts care and sadness, and conduces to slumber.
fall desert building
When a building is about to fall down, all the mice desert it.
matter uncertain certainty
In these matters the only certainty is that nothing is certain.
wine body culinary
Nothing is more useful than wine for strengthening the body and also more detrimental to our pleasure if moderation be lacking.
courage men class
The agricultural population, says Cato, produces the bravest men, the most valiant soldiers, and a class of citizens the least given of all too evil designs.
reputation shameful loses
It is generally much more shameful to lose a good reputation than never to have acquired it.