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
kindness refuse
It is kindness to immediately refuse what you intend to deny.
granted theft refuse
If you refuse where you have always granted you invite to theft.
favors refuse
To refuse graciously is to confer a favor.
wise men refuse
A wise man never refuses anything to necessity.
accept benefit freedom sell
To accept a benefit is to sell one's freedom
experiment hearts holy laws life measure opposition tried
Those who have never tried the experiment of a holy life measure the laws of God, not by their intrinsical goodness, but by the reluctancy and opposition which they find in their hearts
pay value worth
Everything is worth what its purchaser will pay for it.
passed
Every day should be passed as if it were to be our last.
Reprove your friends in secret, praise them openly.
To do two things at once is to do neither.
good
They do injury to the good who spares the bad.
bad
It is a bad plan that admits of no modification.
deserves question
It is not every question that deserves an answer.
Count not him among your friends who will retail your privacies to the world.