Petronius (c.27–66 CE,) fully Gaius Petronius Arbiter, originally Titus Petronius Niger, was a Roman voluptuary, courtier, novelist during the reign of Emperor Nero.
Petronius is generally believed to be the author of the Satyricon (‘Tales of Satyrs,’) a satirical portrait of the excesses of the Roman society of 1st century CE. Considered one of the most brilliant productions of Latin literature, the Satyricon survives only as fragmentary parts of its 15th and 16th books.
The imperial favor that Petronius enjoyed with Emperor Nero aroused the envy of Tigellinus, who successfully disgraced Petronius and accused him of plotting against Nero. Ordered to commit suicide, Petronius cut open his veins.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Petronius
It is fear that first brought gods into the world.
—Petronius
Topics: God
Just as dumb creatures are snared by food, human beings would not be caught unless they had a nibble of hope.
—Petronius
Topics: Hope
He has gone over to the majority.
—Petronius
Topics: Death, Dying
The mind longs for what it has missed.
—Petronius
Beauty and wisdom are seldom found together.
—Petronius
Topics: Beauty
We trained hard-but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form into teams, we would be reorganized. I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and what a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency and demoralization.
—Petronius
Topics: Opportunity, Organization, Progress
He that has a penny in his purse, is worth a penny: Have and you shall be esteemed.
—Petronius
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) Roman Stoic Philosopher
Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) Roman Poet
Marcus Manilius Roman Poet
Pliny the Younger Roman Senator, Writer
Persius Roman Poet
Seneca the Elder (Marcus Annaeus Seneca) Roman Rhetorician
Martial Ancient Roman Latin Poet
Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) Roman Poet
Claudian Roman Poet
Lucretius Roman Epicurean Philosopher