As in our lives so also in our studies, it is most becoming and most wise, so to temper gravity with cheerfulness, that the former may not imbue our minds with melancholy, nor the latter degenerate into licentiousness. Pliny the Elder More Quotes by Pliny the Elder More Quotes From Pliny the Elder Such is the audacity of man, that he hath learned to counterfeit Nature, yea, and is so bold as to challenge her in her work. Pliny the Elder audacity challenges men It is generally much more shameful to lose a good reputation than never to have acquired it. Pliny the Elder shameful reputation loses Nothing is more useful than wine for strengthening the body and also more detrimental to our pleasure if moderation be lacking. Pliny the Elder wine cooking food There is always something new out of Africa. Pliny the Elder something-new No man's abilities are so remarkably shining as not to stand in need of a proper opportunity. Pliny the Elder shining opportunity men When a building is about to fall down, all the mice desert it. Pliny the Elder desert building fall Always act in such a way as to secure the love of your neighbour. Pliny the Elder secure advice way His only fault is that he has no fault. Pliny the Elder faults As land is improved by sowing it with various seeds, so is the mind by exercising it with different studies. Pliny the Elder land mind exercise True glory consists in doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read. Pliny the Elder glory writing civilization Man is the only one that knows nothing, that can learn nothing without being taught. He can neither speak nor walk nor eat, and in short he can do nothing at the prompting of nature only, but weep. Pliny the Elder taught training men We neglect those things which are under our very eyes, and heedless of things within our grasp, pursue those which are afar off. Pliny the Elder afar neglect eye There is alas no law against incompetency; no striking example is made. They learn by our bodily jeopardy and make experiments until the death of the patients, and the doctor is the only person not punished for murder. Pliny the Elder doctors example law Nature has given man no better thing than shortness of life. Pliny the Elder nature men life The great business of man is to improve his mind, and govern his manners; all other projects and pursuits, whether in our power to compass or not, are only amusements. Pliny the Elder business mind men The perverted ingenuity of man has given to water the power of intoxicating where wine is not procured. Western nations intoxicate themselves by moistened grain. Pliny the Elder wine water men It is a maxim universally agreed upon in agriculture, that nothing must be done too late; and again, that everything must be done at its proper season; while there is a third precept which reminds us that opportunities lost can never be regained. Pliny the Elder agriculture opportunity too-late Truth comes out in wine. Pliny the Elder truth-comes-out wine Simple diet is best: for many dishes bring many diseases, and rich sauces are worse than even heaping several meats upon each other. Pliny the Elder disease meat simple The agricultural population produces the bravest men, the most valiant soldiers,46 and a class of citizens the least given of all to evil designs. Pliny the Elder courage class men
