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He who writes distichs, wishes, I suppose, to please by brevity. But, tell me, of what avail is their brevity, when there is a whose book full of them?

Martial

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More quotes by Martial

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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 crystal break, for fear of breaking it: Careless and careful hands like faults commit.
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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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Epigrams need no crier, but are content with their own tongue.
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It is folly to waste labour about trifles.
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Virtue extends our days: he lives two lives who relives his past with pleasure.
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Laugh, if thou art wise.
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He truly sorrows who sorrows unseen.
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Neither fear your death's day nor long for it.
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While an ant was wandering under the shade of the tree of Phaeton, a drop of amber enveloped the tiny insect thus she, who in life was disregarded, became precious by death.
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When your crowd of attendants so loudly applaud you, Pomponius, it is not you, but your banquet, that is eloquent.
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Such are thou and I: but what I am thou canst not be what thou art any one of the multitude may be.
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Genuine is the sorrow endured without anyone else knowing about it.
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Life's not just about being alive, but being well.
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She grieves sincerely who grieves unseen.
Martial
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Who gives to friends so much from Fate secures, That is the only wealth for ever yours. [Lat., Extra fortunam est, quidquid donatur amicis Quas dederis, selas semper habebis opes.]
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Be not too thick with anybody your joys will be fewer, and so will pains.
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Some are good, some are middling, the most are bad.
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Do you ask why I am unwilling to marry a rich wife? It is because I am unwilling to be taken to husband by my wife. The mistress of the house should be subordinate to her husband, for in no other way, Priscus, will the wife and husband be on an equality.
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Nothing is more ill-timed than an ill-timed laugh.
Martial