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
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.
friendship
Friendship either finds or makes equals.
We simply rob ourselves when we make presents to the dead.
future struggle past
The future struggles that it may not become the past.
gold frogs puddles
A frog would leap from a throne of gold into a puddle.
gold causes arguing
When Gold argues the cause, eloquence is impotant.