Quintus Ennius
Quintus Ennius
Quintus Enniuswas a writer during the period of the Roman Republic, and is often considered the father of Roman poetry. He was an Oscanfrom Calabria. Although only fragments of his works survive, his influence in Latin literature was significant, particularly in his use of Greek literary models...
NationalityRoman
ProfessionPoet
men enemy delay
One man restored our fortunes by delay. [By skilfully avoiding an engagement, Fabius exhausted the resources of the enemy.]
men safety delay
One man by delay restored the state, for he preferred the public safety to idle report. [Lat., Unus homo nobis cunctando restituit rem, Non ponebat enim rumores ante salutem.]
fear hate whom
Quem metuunt, oderunt. (They hate whom they fear.)
bath good taste
A little moralizing's good - a little: I like a taste, but not a bath of it
clean constant freedom hath
He hath freedom whoso beareth clean and constant heart within.
indulge-in bed influenza
I never indulge in rhyme or stanza Unless I'm in bed with the influenza.
real circumstances known
A sure friend is known in unsure circumstances.
ancient states customs
The Roman state stands by ancient customs, and its manhood.
latin father writing
To later Romans Ennius was the personification of the spirit of early Rome; by them he was called "The Father of Roman Poetry." We must remember how truly Greek he was in his point of view. He set the example for later Latin poetry by writing the first epic of Rome in Greek hexameter verses instead of in the old Saturnian verse. He made popular the doctrines of Euhemerus, and he was in general a champion of free thought and rationalism.
latin father greek
Ennius was the father of Roman poetry, because he first introduced into Latin the Greek manner and in particular the hexameter metre.
hate
They hate whom they fear.
friends loyalty true-friend
A true friend is distinguished in the crisis of hazard and necessity; when the gallantry of his aid may show the worth of his soul and the loyalty of his heart.
can-do asks
Don't ask of your friends what you yourself can do.
liberty lips citizens
To open his lips is crime in a plain citizen.