Plutarch quotes - page 12

Prosperity has this property it puffs up narrow souls, makes them imagine themselves high and mighty, and leads them to look down upon the world with contempt but a truly noble spirit appears greatest in distress and then becomes more bright and c. (Plutarch)
The giving of riches and honors to a wicked man is like giving strong wine to him that hath a fever. View quote
Plutarch
He who reflects on another man's want of breeding, shows he wants it as much himself. View quote
Plutarch
Poverty is not dishonorable in itself, but only when it comes from idleness, intemperance, extravagance, and folly. View quote
Plutarch
Distressed valor challenges great respect, even from an enemy. View quote
Plutarch
Philosophy is an act of living. View quote
Plutarch
The man who is completely wise and virtuous has no need of glory, except so far as it disposes and eases his way to action by the greater trust that it procures him. View quote
Plutarch
Nothing is cheap which is superfluous, for what one does not need, is dear at a penny. View quote
Plutarch
(Solon) being asked, namely, what city was best to live in, That city, he replied, in which those who are not wronged, no less than those who are wronged, exert themselves to punish the wrongdoers. View quote
Plutarch
The man who first brought ruin upon the Roman people was he who pampered them by largesses and amusements. View quote
Plutarch
When Demosthenes was asked what were the three most important aspects of oratory, he answered, ''Action, Action, Action.'' (Plutarch)
To one that promised to give him hardy cocks that would die fighting, "Prithee," said Cleomenes, "give me cocks that will kill fighting. View quote
Plutarch
The first evil those who are prone to talk suffer, is that they hear nothing. View quote
Plutarch
about Archimedes ... being perpetually charmed by his familiar siren, that is, by his geometry, he neglected to eat and drink and took no care of his person that he was often carried by force to the baths, and when there he would trace geometrical figures in the ashes of the fire, and with his finger draw lines upon his body when it was anointed with oil, being in a state of great ecstasy and divinely possessed by his science. View quote
Plutarch
Not by lamentations and mournful chants ought we to celebrate the funeral of a good man, but by hymns, for in ceasing to be numbered with mortals he enters upon the heritage of a diviner life. View quote
Plutarch
Good birth is a fine thing, but the merit is our ancestors. View quote
Plutarch
This excerpt is presented as reproduced by Copernicus in the preface to De Revolutionibus 'Some think that the earth remains at rest. But Philolaus the Pythagorean believes that, like the sun and moon, it revolves around the fire in an oblique circle. Heraclides of Pontus and Ecphantus the Pythagorean make the earth move, not in a progressive motion, but like a wheel in rotation from west to east around its own center.' View quote
Plutarch
It is the admirer of himself, and not the admirer of virtue, that thinks himself superior to others. View quote
Plutarch
In human life there is constant change of fortune And it is unreasonable to expect an exemption from the common fate. Life itself decays, and all things are daily changing. View quote
Plutarch
Learn to be pleased with everything with wealth, so far as it makes us beneficial to others with poverty, for not having much to care for and with obscurity, for being unenvied. View quote
Plutarch
The richest soil, if cultivated, produces the rankest weeds. (Plutarch)
The talkative listen to no one, for they are ever speaking. And the first evil that attends those who know not how to be silent, is, that they hear nothing. View quote
Plutarch
Nor is it always in the most distinguished achievements that men's virtues or vices may be best discovered but very often an action of small note, a short saying, or a jest, shall distinguish a person's real character more than the greatest sieges, or the most important battle. View quote
Plutarch
To do an evil act is base. To do a good one without incurring danger, is common enough. But it is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds though he risks everything in doing them. View quote
Plutarch
The measure of a man is way he bears up under misfortune. View quote
Plutarch