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
men sick littles
Little does the sick man consult his own interests, who makes his physician his heir.
ears easy accusation
It is well not to lend too easy an ear to accusations.
folly avoided
It is folly to fear what cannot be avoided.
remember now-and-then wells
It is as well now and then not to remember all we know.
successful men enemy
It is a most miserable lot to be without an enemy. [No man can be successful without being envied and hated.]
hands suffering complaining
It a wretched thing to suffer at the hand of one of whom we cannot complain.
misery companion consolation
It is a consolation to the wretched to have companions in misery.
sight argument loses
In a heated argument we are apt to lose sight of the truth.
greed want misers
The miser is as much in want of what he has as of what he has not.
faults crime invites
He who leaves a fault unpunished invites crime.
men one-man
He who injures one man threatens many.
men hours fortune
No hour brings good fortune to one man without bringing misfortune to another.
please variety
Nothing pleases which is not freshened by variety.
delay merit protection
That delay is our surest protection which enables us to deliberate on the merits of our intentions.