A laugh, if purchased at the expense of propriety, costs too much.

Quote by Marcus Fabius Quintilian

Topics: Marcus Fabius Quintilian Quotes

Forbidden pleasures alone are loved immoderately; when lawful, they do not excite desire.

Forbidden pleasures alone are loved immoderately; when lawful, they do not excite desire.

The pretended admission of a fault on our part creates an excellent impression.

The pretended admission of a fault on our part creates an excellent impression.

Everything that has a beginning comes to an end.

Everything that has a beginning comes to an end.

The gifts of nature are infinite in their variety, and mind differs from mind almost...

The gifts of nature are infinite in their variety, and mind differs from mind almost...

While we are making up our minds as to when we shall begin. the opportunity...

While we are making up our minds as to when we shall begin. the opportunity...

The prosperous can not easily form a right idea of misery.

The prosperous can not easily form a right idea of misery.

For it would have been better that man should have been born dumb, nay, void...

For it would have been better that man should have been born dumb, nay, void...

Whilst we deliberate how to begin a thing, it grows too late to begin it.

Whilst we deliberate how to begin a thing, it grows too late to begin it.

It seldom happens that a premature shoot of genius ever arrives at maturity.

It seldom happens that a premature shoot of genius ever arrives at maturity.

God, that all-powerful Creator of nature and architect of the world, has impressed man with...

God, that all-powerful Creator of nature and architect of the world, has impressed man with...

Our minds are like our stomaches; they are whetted by the change of their food,...

Our minds are like our stomaches; they are whetted by the change of their food,...

While we are examining into everything we sometimes find truth where we least expected it.

While we are examining into everything we sometimes find truth where we least expected it.

Nothing is more dangerous to men than a sudden change of fortune.

Nothing is more dangerous to men than a sudden change of fortune.

Vain hopes are like certain dreams of those who wake.

Vain hopes are like certain dreams of those who wake.

The perfection of art is to conceal art.

The perfection of art is to conceal art.

Those who wish to appear wise among fools, among the wise seem foolish.

Those who wish to appear wise among fools, among the wise seem foolish.

That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes.

That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes.

Where evil habits are once settled, they are more easily broken than mended.

Where evil habits are once settled, they are more easily broken than mended.

A laugh costs too much when bought at the expense of virtue.

A laugh costs too much when bought at the expense of virtue.

Though ambition in itself is a vice, yet it is often the parent of virtues.

Though ambition in itself is a vice, yet it is often the parent of virtues.