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
beneficial care far learn pleased
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.
special care answers
When another is asked a question, take special care not to interrupt to answer it yourself.
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.
enjoy life man point purpose spend
The whole life of man is but a point of time; let us enjoy it, therefore, while it lasts, and not spend it to no purpose
enjoy life point purpose spend
The whole life is but a point of time; let us enjoy it, therefore, while it lasts, and not spend it to no purpose.
produces richest weeds
The richest soil, if cultivated, produces the rankest weeds
act common deeds evil good great man noble risk risks though
To do an evil act is base. To do a good one without incurring danger, is common enough. But it is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds though he risks everything in doing them.
excel extent greek-philosopher knowledge power
I would rather excel in the knowledge of what is excellent, than in the extent of my power and possessions.
romans victory
Another such victory over the Romans and we are undone.
command finding forces hands keen leave orders ready rest taking talkative though
Paulus Aemilius, on taking command of the forces in Macedonia, and finding them talkative and impertinently busy, as though they were all commanders, issued out his orders that they should have only ready hands and keen swords, and leave the rest to
bears man measure misfortune
The measure of a man is way he bears up under misfortune
water firsts dread
Athenodorus says hydrophobia, or water-dread, was first discovered in the time of Asclepiades.
brother silly two
There were two brothers called Both and Either; perceiving Either was a good, understanding, busy fellow, and Both a silly fellow and good for little, Philip said, "Either is both, and Both is neither.
firsts saws assault
After he routed Pharnaces Ponticus at the first assault, he wrote thus to his friends: "I came, I saw, I conquered.