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
wise silence speak
It is wise to be silent when occasion requires, and better than to speak, though never so well.
army order battle
The same intelligence is required to marshal an army in battle and to order a good dinner. The first must be as formidable as possible, the second as pleasant as possible, to the participants.
character giving personality
It is circumstance and proper measure that give an action its character, and make it either good or bad.
done tradition sensible
We are more sensible of what is done against custom than against nature.
fighting sheep decision
He who owns a hundred sheep must fight with fifty wolves
contentment balance care
Learn to be pleased with everything, with wealth so far as it makes us beneficial to others; with poverty, for not having much to care for; and with obscurity, for being unenvied.
forgetfulness
Forgetfulness transforms every occurrence into a non-occurrence.
friends real rivalry
Among real friends there is no rivalry or jealousy of one another, but they are satisfied and contented alike whether they are equal or one of them is superior.
lying speech figures
Speech is like cloth of Arras opened and put abroad, whereby the imagery doth appear in figure; whereas in thoughts they lie but as packs.
home men mind
What most of all enables a man to serve the public is not wealth, but content and independence; which, requiring no superfluity at home, distracts not the mind from the common good.
kings crowns sometimes
The crowns of kings do not prevent those who wear them from being tormented sometimes by violent headaches.
wife caesars-wife should
Caesar's wife should be above suspicion.
mean men thinking
If any man think it a small matter, or of mean concernment, to bridle his tongue, he is much mistaken; for it is a point to be silent when occasion requires, and better than to speak, though never so well.
disappointment light break-off
If you light upon an impertinent talker, that sticks to you like a bur, to the disappointment of your important occasions, deal freely with him, break off the discourse, and pursue your business.