Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (Roman Poet)

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)

Well has he lived who has lived well in obscurity.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Solitude

Whether they give or refuse, it delights women just the same to have been asked.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Women

Like fragile ice anger passes away in time.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Hatred, Hate, Anger

Nothing in the entire universe ever perishes, believe me, but things vary, and adopt a new form. The phrase being born is used for beginning to be something different from what one was before, while dying means ceasing to be the same. Though this thing may pass into that, and that into this, yet the sums of things remains unchanged.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: The Universe

How little is the promise of the child fulfilled in the man.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Children

Minds that are ill at ease are agitated by both hope and fear.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)

Sleep, thou repose of all things; thou gentlest of the duties; thou peace of the mind, from which care flies; who dost soothe the hearts of men wearied with the toils of the day, and refittest them for labor.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Sleep

The sharp thorn often produces delicate roses.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Family, One liners, Ancestors, Ancestry

Few love what they may have.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Appreciation, Blessings, Gratitude

Envy feeds on the living. It ceases when they are dead.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Envy

Happy is he who dares courageously to defend what he loves.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Love, Risk

Habits change into character.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Habits, Character, Habit

Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)

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)

Happy the man who ventures boldly to defend what he holds dear.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Courage, Happiness

To give requires good sense.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Charity

Although they possess enough, and more than enough still they yearn for more.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Wealth

What is now reason was formerly impulse or instinct.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Reason

Dignity and love do not blend well, nor do they continue long together.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Dignity

Gifts, believe me, captivate both men and Gods, Jupiter himself was won over and appeased by gifts.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Gifts

Make the workmanship surpass the materials.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Quality, Business

Courage conquers all things: it even gives strength to the body.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Courage, Bravery

A short absence is safest.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Absence

There is a god within us, and we have intercourse with heaven. That spirit comes from abodes on high.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)

My hopes are not always realized, but I always hope.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Hope

In an easy matter. Anybody can be eloquent.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Eloquence, Conversation

Men do not value a good deed unless it brings a reward.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)

Sleep … peace of the soul, who puttest care to flight.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Sleep, Relaxation

There is no such thing as pure pleasure; some anxiety always goes with it.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Worry, Realistic Expectations, Anxiety, Pleasure, Acceptance

People are slow to believe that, which if believed would work them harm.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Belief

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