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)
There is no less merit in keeping what we have got, than in first acquiring it. Chance has something to do with the one, while the other will always be the effect of skill.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Riches
When disposition wins us, the features please.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Appearance
The time will come when it will disgust you to look in the mirror.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Appearance
A short absence is safest
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Absence
Nothing is stronger than habit.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Habits
Burdens become light when cheerfully borne.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Cheerfulness
God gave man an upright countenance to survey the heavens, and to look upward to the stars.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: God
While prosperous you can number many friends; but when the storm comes you are left alone.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Prosperity
Neglect of appearance becomes men.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Appearance
Our native land charms us with inexpressible sweetness, and never never allows us to forget that we belong to it.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Charm
Everyone wishes that the man whom he fears would perish.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: One liners, Wishes
All things change, nothing perishes.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Change
In sweet water there is a pleasure ungrudged by anyone.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: One liners, Water
A prince should be slow to punish, and quick to reward.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Leadership, Leaders
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
Neither can the wave that has passed by be recalled, nor the hour which has passed return again.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Time
Minds that are ill at ease are agitated by both hope and fear.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
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)
There is something in omens.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Magic
When there is plenty of wine, sorrow and worry take wing.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Wine
Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
The glow of inspiration warms us; it is a holy rapture.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Inspiration, Inspirational
How little is the promise of the child fulfilled in the man.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Children
It is some relief to weep; grief is satisfied and carried off by tears.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Crying
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
There is no such thing as pure pleasure; some anxiety always goes with it.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Pleasure, Worry, Anxiety, Acceptance, Realistic Expectations
Daring is not safe against daring men.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Risk
Thy destiny is only that of man, but thy aspirations may be those of a god.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Goals
Everyone’s a millionaire where promises are concerned.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Promises
It is a kingly act to assist the fallen.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
Topics: Aid, Help, Assistance
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Virgil Roman Poet
Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) Roman Poet
Marcus Manilius Roman Poet
Lucretius Roman Epicurean Philosopher
Catullus Roman Latin Poet
Cicero Roman Philosopher
Persius Roman Poet
Claudian Roman Poet
Martial Ancient Roman Latin Poet
Juvenal Roman Poet