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)

The mind grows sicker than the body in contemplation of it’s suffering.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Suffering

She half consents, who silently denies.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)

Those gifts are ever the most acceptable
that are made precious by the giver.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)

You will go most safely in the middle.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Moderation

Ah me! love can not be cured by herbs.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Love

Either attempt it not, or succeed.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Success

Thanks are justly due for boons unbought.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Gratitude

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

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

Presents which our love for the donor has rendered precious are ever the most acceptable.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Gifts, Giving

The love of glory gives an immense stimulus.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Fame, Glory

It is annoying to be honest to no purpose.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Honesty

God himself favors the brave.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Brave

Let others praise ancient times; I am glad I was born in these.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: The Past

A man is sorry to be honest for nothing.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Honesty

Novelty in all things is charming.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Charm

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

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

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

We are always striving for things forbidden, and coveting those denied us.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Desire, Desires

A horse never runs so fast as when he has other horses to catch up and outpace.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Competition

Forbear to lay the guilt of a few on the many.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Guilt, One liners

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

Nothing is more useful to man than those arts which have no utility.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Art

The brave find a home in every land.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Brave

People are slow to claim confidence in undertakings of magnitude.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Confidence

Nowadays nothing but money counts: a fortune brings honors, friendships, the poor man everywhere lies low.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Money

Nothing is stronger than habit.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Habits

If you would marry suitably, marry your equal.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Marriage

It is not wealth, nor ancestry, but honorable conduct and a noble disposition that make men great.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)

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

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