Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Publilius Syrus (Syrian-born Latin Writer)

Publilius Syrus (fl.first-century BCE) was a Latin writer of mimes and dramatic sketches presenting scenes from daily life. He is best known for his Sententiae, aphorisms that express moral teaching and advocate pragmatism.

Born in Syria, Publilius Syrus was brought to Italy as a slave. Because of his wit and talent, he won the favor of his master, who emancipated and educated him. He was invited by Julius Caesar to perform at the 46 BCE celebrations of the Gallic Triumph. Publilius Syrus challenged other mime-writers to extemporize on a specified scenario and was proclaimed winner by Caesar over his chief rival.

In the first century CE, apothegms of a variety of characters in the mimes were selected and ordered alphabetically, often organized without context. As a result, it is difficult to distinguish original Publilian sententiae from accretions, paraphrases, distortions, and misattributions of other authors’ maxims.

More: Wikipedia READ: Works by Publilius Syrus

Take care that no one hates you justly.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Hatred, Integrity, Hate

The most delightful pleasures cloy without variety.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Pleasure

He who helps the guilty, shares the crime.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Guilt

Count not him among your friends who will retail your privacies to the world.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Gossip

There are some remedies worse than the disease.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Medicine

Unless you make allowances for your friend’s foibles, you betray your own.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Friendship

I often regret that I have spoken; never that I have been silent.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Silence, Regret

A rolling stone can gather no moss.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Change

We must master our good fortune, or it will master us.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Luck, Fortune

He is much to be dreaded who stands in dread of poverty.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Anxiety, Fear

Learn to see in another’s calamity the ills which you should avoid.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Failures, Role models, Mistakes

Necessity knows no law except to conquer.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Necessity

When Fortune flatters, she does it to betray.
Publilius Syrus

A hasty judgment is a first step to recantation.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Judging, Judgment, Judges, Justice

Anyone can steer the ship when the sea is calm.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Leaders, Leadership

When we speak evil of others, we generally condemn ourselves.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Criticism

It is sometimes wise to forget who we are.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Wisdom

It is a pitiful fortune that is not without enemies.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Enemies, Enemy

It is well to learn caution by the misfortunes of others.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Caution

It is not every question that deserves an answer.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Questions

No pleasure endures unseasoned by variety.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Pleasure

It is foolish to fear what you cannot avoid.
Publilius Syrus

Friendship neither finds or makes equals.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Friendship

When you confer a benefit on those worthy of it, you confer a favor on all.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Kindness

Society in shipwreck is comfort to all.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Society

You should hammer your iron when it is glowing hot.
Publilius Syrus

It is more easy to get a favor from fortune than to keep it.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Fortune, Luck

Each day should be passed as though it were our last.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Time Management

The wise man avoids evil by anticipating it.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Wisdom

No one ever lost his honor, except he who had it not.
Publilius Syrus
Topics: Honor

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