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
He conquers twice who conquers himself in victory.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Self-Discovery, Discipline, Victory
Depend not on fortune, but on conduct.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Fortune
No pleasure lasts long unless there is variety in it.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Pleasure
If you share your friend’s crime, you make it your own.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Crime, Proverbs
He who has lost honor can lose nothing more.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Honor
They do injury to the good who spares the bad.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Justice
It is not every question that deserves an answer.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Questions
No one knows what he can do till he tries.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Doing Your Best, Possibilities, Potential
Confidence, like the soul, never returns whence it has once departed
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Confidence
Every delay is hateful, but it gives wisdom.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Delay
Powerful indeed is the empire of habit.
—Publilius Syrus
It is foolish to fear what you cannot avoid.
—Publilius Syrus
A rolling stone can gather no moss.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Change
A hasty judgment is a first step to recantation.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Judgment, Justice, Judges, Judging
At daybreak, when loath to rise, have this thought in thy mind: I am rising for a man’s work.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Work
In a heated argument we are apt to lose sight of the truth.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Arguments
You can accomplish by kindness what you cannot by force.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Kindness
To refuse graciously is to confer a favor.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Kindness
Never promise more than you can perform.
—Publilius Syrus
Take care that no one hates you justly.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Hatred, Integrity, Hate
I have often regretted my speech, never my silence.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Conversation, Regret, Speech
Some remedies are worse than the disease.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Medicine
How unhappy is he who cannot forgive himself.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Happiness, Unhappiness, One liners, Forgiveness, Guilt
That should be considered long which can be decided but once.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Decisions, Thought, Reason
Do not despise the bottom rungs in the ascent to greatness.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Beginnings, Greatness & Great Things, Greatness
The madman thinks the rest of the world crazy.
—Publilius Syrus
Society in shipwreck is comfort to all.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Society
Successful guilt is the bane of society
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Guilt
The judge is found guilty when a criminal is acquitted.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Law
It matters not how long you live, but how well.
—Publilius Syrus
Topics: Life
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Catullus Roman Latin Poet
Martial Ancient Roman Latin Poet
Ausonius Latin Poet, Rhetorician
Seneca the Elder (Marcus Annaeus Seneca) Roman Rhetorician
Quintilian Roman Rhetorician, Literary Critic
Virgil Roman Poet
Cornelius Nepos Roman Historian
Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) Roman Poet
Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) Roman Poet
Julius Caesar Roman Ruler