Publilius Syrus
Publilius Syrus
Publilius Syrus, was a Latin writer, best known for his sententiae. He was a Syrian who was brought as a slave to Italy, but by his wit and talent he won the favour of his master, who freed and educated him. Publilius' name, due to early medieval palatalization of 'l' between two 'i's, is often presented by manuscriptsin corrupt form as 'Publius'...
NationalityRoman
ProfessionWriter
trying sad-truth knows
You don't know what you can do until you try.
enemy littles loan
With little loan you get a friend, with big loan an enemy.
pleasure variety delightful
The most delightful pleasures cloy without variety.
thinking safe dangerous
Dangerous he who thinks it safe to die!
should
Money should be mastered, not served.
answers deserve
Not every question deserves an answer.
men thrifty cautious
The timid man calls himself cautious, the sordid man thrifty.
lovers love-strength
The anger of lovers renews the strength of love.
adversity shadow shows
Adversity shows whether we have friends, or only the shadows of friends.
laughing envy brave
The brave or the fortunate can afford to laugh at envy.
loss reputation should
That should be regarded as a loss, which is won at the expense of our reputation.
worst-enemy conquer temperament
He who gets the better of an irascible temperament conquers his worst enemy.
may fortune
No fortune is so good but that you may find something to grumble about.
return favour modesty
Modesty once lost, never returns into favour.