Martial
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.Collection: Life
If your slave commits a fault, do not smash his teeth with your fists; give him some of the (hard) biscuit which famous Rhodes has sent you.Collection: Food
The bee is enclosed, and shines preserved in amber, so that it seems enshrined in its own nectar.Collection: Shining
It is not, believe me, the act of a wise man to say, "I will live." To-morrow's life is too late; live to-day.Collection: Life
The bee is enclosed, and shines preserved, in a tear of the sisters of Phaeton, so that it seems enshrined in its own nectar. It has obtained a worthy reward for its great toils; we may suppose that the bee itself would have desired such a death.Collection: Shining
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.Collection: Kissing
Your seventh wife, Phileros, is now being buried in your field. No man's field brings him greater profit than yours, Phileros.Collection: Men
A good man enlarges the term of his own existence.Collection: Men
You admire, Vacerra, only the poets of old and praise only those who are dead. Pardon me, I beseech you, Vacerra, if I think death too high a price to pay for your praise.Collection: Thinking
Nothing is more ill-timed than an ill-timed laugh.Collection: Laughing
I would not miss your face, your neck, your hands, your limbs, your bosom and certain other of your charms. Indeed, not to become boring by naming them all, I could do without you, Chloe, altogether.Collection: Love
I do not hate the man, but his vices.Collection: Hate
There is no glory in otustripping donkeys.Collection: Dignity
Make it a point not to be over-fascinating.Collection: Fascinating
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.Collection: Winter
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.Collection: Granted
Those they praise, but they read the others.Collection: Praise
Birdes of a feather will flocke togither.Collection: Feathers
You puff the poets of other days, The living you deplore. Spare me the accolade: your praise Is not worth dying for.Collection: Life
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.Collection: Tree
Do you ask what sort of a maid I desire or dislike, Flaccus? I dislike one too easy and one too coy. The just mean, which lies between the two extremes, is what I approve; I like neither that which tortures nor that which cloys.Collection: Lying
What's a wretched man? A man whom no man pleases.Collection: Men
Too late is tomorrow's life; live for today.Collection: Live For Today
While you cannot resolve what you are, at last you may be nothing.Collection: Identity
It is folly to waste labour about trifles.Collection: Waste
For life is only life when blessed with health.Collection: Fitness
You should not fear, nor yet should you wish for your last day.Collection: Death
A novice always behaves with propriety.Collection: Novices
Work divided is in that manner shortened.Collection: Work
Hidden evils are most dreaded.Collection: Evil
I believe that man to be wretched whom none can please.Collection: Believe
Live thy life as it were spoil and pluck the joys that fly.Collection: Joy
Gifts are like fish-hooks; for who is not aware that the greedy char is deceived by the fly which he swallows?Collection: Hook
If fame is to come only after death, I am in no hurry for it.Collection: Fame
A vagrant is everywhere at home.Collection: Home
Generosity during life is a very different thing from generosity in the hour of death; one proceeds from genuine liberality, and benevolence; the other from pride or fear, or from the fact that you cannot take your money with you to the other world.Collection: Pride
It is as good as second life to be able to look back upon our past life with pleasureCollection: Past
Gifts are like hooks.Collection: Hook
You ask what a nice girl will do? She won't give an inch, but she won't say no.Collection: Girl
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.Collection: Husband
Why do strong arms fatigue themselves with frivolous dumbbells? To dig a vineyard is worthier exercise for men.Collection: Strong
If you are poor now, Aemilianus, you will always be poor. Riches are now given to none but the rich.Collection: Riches
There is no living with thee, nor without thee.Collection: Love
To the ashes of the dead glory comes too late.Collection: Ashes