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
deception deceived tolerable
It is more tolerable to be refused than deceived.
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.
kindness refuse
It is kindness to immediately refuse what you intend to deny.
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.
While we stop to think, we often miss our opportunity.
There are some remedies worse than the disease.