Plutarch
Plutarch
Plutarch; c. AD 46 – AD 120) was a Greek historian, biographer, and essayist, known primarily for his Parallel Lives and Moralia. He is classified as a Middle Platonist. Plutarch's surviving works were written in Greek, but intended for both Greek and Roman readers...
NationalityGreek
ProfessionPhilosopher
done may despise
Whenever anything is spoken against you that is not true, do not pass by or despise it because it is false; but forthwith examine yourself, and consider what you have said or done that may administer a just occasion of reproof.
philosophical animal flesh
Note that the eating of flesh is not only physically against nature, but it also makes us spiritually coarse and gross by reason of satiety and surfeit.
thinking virtue admirer
It is the admirer of himself, and not the admirer of virtue, that thinks himself superior to others.
should benevolence humankind
Were it only to learn benevolence to humankind, we should be merciful to other creatures.
curiosity wish may
Talkativeness has another plague attached to it, even curiosity; for praters wish to hear much that they may have much to say.
son men riches
When Anaxagoras was told of the death of his son, he only said, "I knew he was mortal." So we in all casualties of life should say "I knew my riches were uncertain, that my friend was but a man." Such considerations would soon pacify us, because all our troubles proceed from their being unexpected.
book latter aim
We ought to regard books as we do sweetmeats, not wholly to aim at the pleasantest, but chiefly to respect the wholesomest; not forbidding either, but approving the latter most.
hurtful riches
Riches for the most part are hurtful to them that possess them.
envy pleasure advantage
Our nature holds so much envy and malice that our pleasure in our own advantages is not so great as our distress at others'.
mother children heart
Mothers ought to bring up and nurse their own children; for they bring them up with greater affection and with greater anxiety, as loving them from the heart, and so to speak, every inch of them.
food dark flames
Since, during storms, flames leap from the humid vapors and dark clouds emit deafening noises, is it surprising the lightning, when it strikes the ground, gives rise to truffles, which do not resemble plants?
hate hatred mind
If you hate your enemies, you will contract such a vicious habit of mind that it will break out upon those who are your friends, or those who are indifferent to you.
wise adversity men
Wise men are able to make a fitting use even of their enmities.
character habit
Character is inured habit.