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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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Martial
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Conceal a flaw, and the world will imagine the worst.
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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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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.
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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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You complain, friend Swift, of the length of my epigrams, but you yourself write nothing. Yours are shorter.
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I do not love thee, Sabidius, nor can I say why I can only say this, I do not love thee.
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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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Gifts are like hooks.
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You should not fear, nor yet should you wish for your last day.
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If I remember right, Aelia, you had four teeth a cough displaced two, another two more. You can now cough without anxiety all the day long. A third cough can find nothing to do in your mouth.
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Can the fish love the fisherman? [Lat., Piscatorem piscis amare potest?]
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Life consists not merely in existing, but in enjoying health.
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The shameless Chloe placed on the tombs of her seven husbands the inscription, The work of Chloe. How could she have expressed herself more plainly?
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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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Make it a point not to be over-fascinating.
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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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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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Epigrams need no crier, but are content with their own tongue.
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He who weighs his burdens, can bear them.
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