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
taught bitter obedience
It is a bitter dose to be taught obedience after you have learned to rule.
fall humility
Humility neither falls far, nor heavily.
two individuality
When two do the same thing, it is not the same thing after all.
hurt fall greater
The further the fall, the greater the hurt.
gains wealth economy
There is no gain so certain as that which arises from sparing what you have.
speech speak silent
He knows not when to be silent who knows not when to speak.
men quarrels absent
He who quarrels with a drunken man injures one who is absent.
favour grants asks
He who will not grant a favour has no right to ask one.
kissing hatred countenance
Great hatred can be concealed in the countenance, and much in a kiss.
fruit bitter ripe
There is no fruit which is not bitter before it is ripe.
safety enemy favors
There is no safety in regaining the favor of an enemy.
fame knows known
Would you be known by everybody? Then you know nobody.
favors easy fortune
It is more easy to get a favor from fortune than to keep it.
friendship ends
The friendship that can come to an end, never really began.