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
knows till tries
No one knows what he can do till he tries
trying sad-truth knows
You don't know what you can do until you try.
forget sometimes knows
It is sometimes expedient to forget what you know.
good-luck pieces nobody-knows
A sly piece of good luck, which nobody knows of is delightful.
trying knows can-do
No one know what he can do till he tries.
positive-thinking trying knows
No one knows what it is that he can do until he tries.
law conquer knows
Necessity knows no law except to conquer.
snares know-how knows
He can best avoid a snare who knows how to set one.
fame knows known
Would you be known by everybody? Then you know nobody.
astonished cease choose chosen literature
In literature as in love, we are astonished at what is chosen by others. We choose to love, we do not choose to cease loving.
death dreaded fear
The fear of death is more to be dreaded then fear itself.
condemned criminal judge
The judge is condemned when the criminal is acquitted
accept benefit freedom sell
To accept a benefit is to sell one's freedom
fate satisfied
Fate is not satisfied with inflicting one calamity.