Let no one weep for me, or celebrate my funeral with mourning; for I still live, as I pass to and fro through the mouths of men.
The victor is not victorious if the vanquished does not consider himself so
No one regards what is before his feet; we all gaze at the stars.
The idle mind knows not what it wants.
A true friend is tested in adversity.
The wise man is wise in vain who cannot be wise to his own advantage.
[Lat., Nequicquam sapere sapientem, qui ipse sibi prodesse non quiret.]
He who civilly shows the way to one who has missed it, is as one who has lighted another’s lamp from his own lamp; it none the less gives light to himself when it burns for the other.
He who has two languages has two souls.
He hath freedom whoso beareth a clean and constant heart within.
A sure friend is known in unsure circumstances.
Whom men fear they hate, and whom they hate, they wish dead.
A true friend is distinguished in the crisis of hazard and necessity; when the gallantry of his aid may show the worth of his soul and the loyalty of his heart.
How can life be worth living, if devoid Of the calm trust reposed by friend in friend? What sweeter joy than in the kindred soul, Whose converse differs not from self-communion?
He whose wisdom cannot help him, gets no good from being wise.
They hate whom they fear.
A true friend is a friend when in difficulty
One man by delay restored the state, for he preferred the public safety to idle report.
[Lat., Unus homo nobis cunctando restituit rem,
Non ponebat enim rumores ante salutem.]
The ape, vilest of beasts, how like to us.
One man by delaying saved the state for us.
That is true liberty, which bears a pure and firm breast.
Don’t ask of your friends what you yourself can do.
To open his lips is crime in a plain citizen.
Let no one honour me with tears, or bury me with lamentation. Why? Because I fly hither and thither, living in the mouths of me.
[Lat., Nemo me lacrymis decoret, nec funera fletu.
Faxit cur? Volito vivu’ per ora virum.]
One man restored our fortunes by delay. [By skilfully avoiding an engagement, Fabius exhausted the resources of the enemy.]
The Roman state stands by ancient customs, and its manhood.
