Virgil

Aeneid

Ancient influential 137 sayings

Sayings by Virgil

The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices make instruments to scourge us.

Uncertain — Ascribed, common proverb
Humorous Unverifiable

I fear the man who has read only one book.

Uncertain — Ascribed, common proverb
Humorous Unverifiable

Yield not to misfortunes, but advance more boldly against them.

c. 19 BCE — Aeneid, Book 6, line 95
Humorous Unverifiable

Let us go where the Fates lead us.

c. 19 BCE — Aeneid, Book 5, line 709
Humorous Unverifiable

The proper study of mankind is man.

Uncertain — Ascribed, common proverb (often attributed to Pope)
Humorous Unverifiable

He who is brave is free.

Uncertain — Ascribed, common proverb
Humorous Unverifiable

The greatest remedy for anger is delay.

Uncertain — Ascribed, common proverb
Humorous Unverifiable

O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!

Uncertain — Ascribed, common proverb (often attributed to Scott)
Humorous Unverifiable

Fléctere si néqueo súperos Acheronta movebo - If I cannot move heaven, I will raise hell.

c. 29-19 BCE — The Aeneid (Book 7, Line 312), spoken by Juno.
Philosophical Unverifiable

Fortune sides with him who dares. / Audaces fortuna iuvat (latin)- Fortune favors the bold.

c. 29-19 BCE — The Aeneid (Book 10, Line 284).
Philosophical Unverifiable

Amor vincit omnia, et nos cedamus amori. Love conquers all things, so we too shall yield to love.

c. 42-37 BCE — Eclogues (Book 10, Line 69).
Philosophical Unverifiable

Facilis descensus Averno: Noctes atque dies patet atri ianua Ditis; Sed revocare gradium superasque evadere ad auras, Hoc opus, hic labor est. (The gates of Hell are open night and day; Smooth the descent, and easy is the way: But to return, and view the cheerful skies, In this the task and mighty labor lies.)

c. 29-19 BCE — The Aeneid (Book 6, Lines 126-129).
Philosophical Unverifiable

Happy the man who has been able to learn the causes of things. / Felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas.

c. 37-29 BCE — Georgics (Book 2, Line 490).
Philosophical Unverifiable

Each of us bears his own Hell.

c. 29-19 BCE — The Aeneid (Book 6, Line 743).
Philosophical Unverifiable

Evil is nourished and grows by concealment.

Throughout his works — General observation.
Philosophical Unverifiable

Time carries all things, even our wits, away.

c. 42-37 BCE — Eclogues (Book 9, Line 51).
Philosophical Unverifiable

Fear reveals baseborn souls!

c. 29-19 BCE — The Aeneid (Book 4, Line 13).
Philosophical Unverifiable

A woman is an ever fickle and changeable thing.

c. 29-19 BCE — The Aeneid (Book 4, Line 569).
Philosophical Unverifiable

No other evil we know is faster than Rumor, thriving on speed and becoming stronger by running. Small and timid at first, then borne on a light air, she flits over ground while hiding her head on a cloud-top.

c. 29-19 BCE — The Aeneid (Book 4, Lines 173-177).
Philosophical Unverifiable

Mind moves matter.

Throughout his works — General observation.
Philosophical Unverifiable