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Some good, some so-so, and lots plain bad: that's how a book of poems is made, my Friend.

Martial

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Martial
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More quotes by Martial

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There is nothing more revolting than an old busybody.
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The African lions rush to attack bulls they do not attack butterflies. [Lat., In tauros Libyci ruunt leones Non sunt papilionibus molesti.]
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It is easy in adversity to despise death he has real fortitude who dares to live and be wretched.
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Your page stands against you and says to you that you are a thief.
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If fame comes after death, I'm in no hurry for it. [Lat., Si post fata venit gloria non propero.]
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Rarity gives a charm so early fruits and winter roses are the most prized and coyness sets off an extravagant mistress, while the door always open tempts no suitor.
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For wealth's now given to none but to the rich.
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Be merry if you are wise.
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Life is not living, but living in health.
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I commend you, Postumus, for kissing me with only half your lip you may, however, if you please, withhold even the half of this half. Are you inclined to grant me a boon still greater, and even inexpressible? Keep this whole half entirely to yourself, Postumus.
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You puff the poets of other days, The living you deplore. Spare me the accolade: your praise Is not worth dying for.
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Why do I not kiss you, Philaenis? you are bald. Why do I not kiss you, Philaenis? you are carrotty. Why do I not kiss you, Philaenis? you are one-eyed. He who kisses you, Philaenis, sins against nature.
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Non est, crede mihi, sapientis dicere 'Vivam': Sera nimis vita est crastina: vive hodie. Believe me, wise men don't say 'I shall live to do that', tomorrow's life is too late live today. Variant translation: Tomorrow will I live, the fool does say Today itself's too late the wise lived yesterday.
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You complain, friend Swift, of the length of my epigrams, but you yourself write nothing. Yours are shorter.
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A novice always behaves with propriety.
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There is no living with thee, nor without thee.
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He who prefers to give Linus the half of what he wishes to borrow, rather than to lend him the whole, prefers to lose only the half.
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He who thinks that the lives of Priam and of Nestor were long is much deceived and mistaken. Life consists not in living, but in enjoying health.
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It is as good as second life to be able to look back upon our past life with pleasure
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I have granted you much that you asked: and yet you never cease to ask of me. He who refuses nothing, Atticilla, will soon have nothing to refuse.
Martial