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
evil long wish
What greater evil could you wish a miser, than long life?
looks tough method
Look for a tough wedge for a tough log.
men given has-beens
Man has been lent, not given, to life.
mad wish firsts
Whom Fortune wishes to destroy she first makes mad.
integrity men good-man
It is his nature, not his standing, that makes the good man.
favors back-again boast
He who boasts of a favor bestowed, would like it back again.
procrastination
Deliberando saepe perit occasio
fear failure foolish
It is foolish to fear what you cannot avoid.
wine ivy vineyards
You need not hang up the ivy branch over the wine that will sell.
helping guilty crime
He who helps the guilty, shares the crime.
psychology coward thrifty
The coward regards himself as cautious, the miser as thrifty.
wise men decision
Wise man also fears a weak enemy.
life-and-death ill
They live ill who expect to live always.
self-worth greedy poor
The poor lack much, the greedy everything.