That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes.

Quote by Marcus Fabius Quintilian

Topics: Marcus Fabius Quintilian Quotes

To swear, except when necessary, is becoming to an honorable man.

To swear, except when necessary, is becoming to an honorable man.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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

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

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

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

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,...

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...

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

In almost everything, experience is more valuable than precept.

In almost everything, experience is more valuable than precept.