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

Quote by Marcus Fabius Quintilian

Topics: Marcus Fabius Quintilian Quotes

We excuse our sloth under the pretext of difficulty.

We excuse our sloth under the pretext of difficulty.

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.

Vain hopes are like certain dreams of those who wake.

Vain hopes are like certain dreams of those who wake.

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.

For comic writers charge Socrates with making the worse appear the better reason.

For comic writers charge Socrates with making the worse appear the better reason.

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.

In almost everything, experience is more valuable than precept.

In almost everything, experience is more valuable than precept.

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...

It is fitting that a liar should be a man of good memory.

It is fitting that a liar should be a man of good memory.

Men, even when alone, lighten their labors by song, however rude it may be.

Men, even when alone, lighten their labors by song, however rude it may be.

The perfection of art is to conceal art.

The perfection of art is to conceal art.

We must form our minds by reading deep rather than wide.

We must form our minds by reading deep rather than wide.

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...

We must form our minds by reading deep rather than wide.

We must form our minds by reading deep rather than wide.

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

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

Fear of the future is worse than one's present fortune.

Fear of the future is worse than one's present fortune.

That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes.

That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes.

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.

He who speaks evil only differs from his who does evil in that he lacks...

He who speaks evil only differs from his who does evil in that he lacks...

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.