Quotes by Plutarch

89 quotes found

Philosopher and historian (c. AD 40 – 120s) · Greek

Greek philosopher and historian (c. AD 40 – 120s)

Wikipedia

Common Themes

“It is a hard matter my fellow citizens to argue with the belly since it has no ears.”

— Plutarch

food

“Prosperity is not just scale adversity is the only balance to weigh friends.”

— Plutarch

friendship times

“Themistocles said "The Athenians govern the Greeks I govern the Athenians you my wife govern me your son governs you."”

— Plutarch

government

“It is indeed a desirable thing to be well descended but the glory belongs to our ancestors.”

— Plutarch

heredity

“Agesilaus the Spartan king was once invited to hear a mimic imitate the nightingale but declined with the comment that he had heard the nightingale itself.”

— Plutarch

imitation

“No man ever wetted clay and then left it as if there would be bricks by chance and fortune.”

— Plutarch

luck

“As to Caesar when he was called upon he gave no testimony against Clodius nor did he affirm that he was certain of any injury done to his bed. He only said "He had divorced Pompeia because the wife...”

— Plutarch

suspicion

“Many things which cannot be overcome when they are together yield themselves up when taken little by little.”

— Plutarch

time

“It is a difficult task Oh citizens to make speeches to the belly which has no ears.”

— Plutarch

truth