Publius Ovidius Naso (43 BCE–18 CE,) better known as Ovid, was a Roman poet and mythographer. He is considered one of the three canonical poets of Latin literature along with Virgil and Horace.
Ovid is best known for his 15-book epic narrative poem Metamorphoses (Transformations,) one of the pivotal works of Western literature, and the erotic elegy Ars Amatoria (“The Art of Love.”)
Ovid was born in Sulmo, 90 miles east of Rome. His father sent him to Rome to study rhetoric. However, Ovid chose to be a poet rather than an orator or a lawyer. He burst into the Roman literary scene after publishing Ars Amatoria, poems about amorous dalliances.
Ovid then started writing the Metamorphoses, a 12,000-line seriocomic poem that spans the mythological history from creation to the assassination and apotheosis of Julius Caesar. This anthology of Greek and Roman myths and legends showcased Ovid’s wit, invention, and the expressive power of his poetry.
As Ovid was finishing Metamorphoses, he was banished from Rome possibly because his erotic poetry was judged offensive in the context of the austere, old Roman values that Emperor Augustus was determined to revive. Or Ovid was probably blamed as an unwitting accomplice for corrupting the emperor’s granddaughter, who was also exiled at the same time for having an affair with a Roman Senator.
Ovid moved to Tomis, the ancient but far-flung Black Sea commune, now the Romanian port city of Constanța. Ovid remained there until his death a decade later. In exile, Ovid composed a series of poems, Tristia (The Sorrows,) intended to gain his way back into the good graces of the Augustus, and his successor Tiberius, but to no avail.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Here shame dissuades him, there his fear prevails, And each by turns his aching heart assails.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Shame
Whether they give or refuse, it delights women just the same to have been asked.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Women
It is no less a feat to keep what you have, than to increase it. In one there is chance, the other will be a work of art.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Prudence
As the yellow gold is tried in fire, so the faith of friendship must be seen in adversity.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Friendship, Friends, Adversity
The sharp thorn often produces delicate roses.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Family, One liners, Ancestors, Ancestry
Love is full of anxious fears.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Worry, Anxiety
That tuneful nymph, the babbling echo, who has not learned to conceal what is told her, nor yet is able to speak till another speaks.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
The burden which is well borne becomes light.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Bravery, Courage
Fortune and love favor the brave.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Bravery, Brave, Courage, Love
In sweet water there is a pleasure ungrudged by anyone.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: One liners, Water
Happy is he who dares courageously to defend what he loves.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Love, Risk
If you would marry suitably, marry your equal.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Marriage
Venus favors the bold.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Boldness
In an easy matter. Anybody can be eloquent.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Eloquence, Conversation
The good of other times let people state; I think it lucky I was born so late.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: The Past, Past
The brave find a home in every land.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Brave
Burdens become light when cheerfully borne.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Cheerfulness
Chance is always powerful. – Let your hook be always cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be a fish.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Fortune and love befriend the bold.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
We are always striving for things forbidden, and coveting those denied us.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Desire, Desires
Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Everything changes, nothing perishes.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Change
‘Tis best to be silent in a bad cause.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Silence
The drop hollows the stone not by force but by often falling.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Mistakes
Alas! How difficult it is to prevent the countenance from betraying guilt!
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Guilt
God gave man an upright countenance to survey the heavens, and to look upward to the stars.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: God
Everyone’s a millionaire where promises are concerned.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Promises
At times it is folly to hasten at other times, to delay. The wise do everything in its proper time.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Time
It is some relief to weep; grief is satisfied and carried off by tears.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Crying
I am above being injured by fortune, though she steals away much, more will remain with me. The blessing I now enjoy transcend fear.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Fortune
Like fragile ice anger passes away in time.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Hate, Hatred, Anger
Let others praise ancient times; I am glad I was born in these.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: The Past
Let love give way to business; give attention to business and you will be safe.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Business
Dignity and love do not blend well, nor do they continue long together.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Dignity
Wine gives courage and makes men more apt for passion.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Alcohol, Wine
Quarrels are the dowry which married folk bring one another.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Marriage
Sleep … peace of the soul, who puttest care to flight.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Sleep, Relaxation
People are slow to claim confidence in undertakings of magnitude.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Confidence
A short absence is safest
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Absence
I attempt an arduous task; but there is no worth in that which is not a difficult achievement.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Achievement, Success & Failure
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