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
tree speech fruit
Phocion compared the speeches of Leosthenes to cypress-trees. "They are tall," said he, "and comely, but bear no fruit.
wise men speech
When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, "This is a wonderful speech," said he; "but he that saith it never heard the sound of trumpets.
mouths speech pebbles
Demosthenes overcame and rendered more distinct his inarticulate and stammering pronunciation by speaking with pebbles in his mouth.
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.
beautiful men speech
Themistocles replied that a man's discourse was like to a rich Persian carpet, the beautiful figures and patterns of which can only be shown by spreading and extending it out; when it is contracted and folded up, they are obscured and lost.
silence speech seasons
Silence at the proper season is wisdom, and better than any speech.
answers speech
Abstruse questions must have abstruse answers.
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
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.
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.