For to err in opinion, though it be not the part of wise men, is at least human. Plutarch More Quotes by Plutarch More Quotes From Plutarch The human heart becomes softened by hearing of instances of gentleness and consideration. Plutarch considerationhearingheart Moral habits, induced by public practices, are far quicker in making their way into men's private lives, than the failings and faults of individuals are in infecting the city at large. Plutarch practicemenlife The belly has no ears. Plutarch gluttonybellyears What, did you not know, then, that to-day Lucullus dines with Lucullus? Plutarch dineeatingknows Where two discourse, if the anger of one rises, he is the wise man who lets the contest fall. Plutarch wisemenfall There is no perfecter endowment in man than political virtue. Plutarch politicspoliticalmen After the battle in Pharsalia, when Pompey was fled, one Nonius said they had seven eagles left still, and advised to try what they would do. "Your advice," said Cicero, "were good if we were to fight jackdaws. Plutarch eaglesfightingadvice Nothing made the horse so fat as the king's eye. Plutarch horseeyekings It is a difficult task, O citizens, to make speeches to the belly, which has no ears. Plutarch citizenstasksears Foreign lady once remarked to the wife of a Spartan commander that the women of Sparta were the only women in the world who could rule men. "We are the only women who raise men," the Spartan lady replied. Plutarch spartawifemen Scilurus on his death-bed, being about to leave four-score sons surviving, offered a bundle of darts to each of them, and bade them break them. When all refused, drawing out one by one, he easily broke them, thus teaching them that if they held together, they would continue strong; but if they fell out and were divided, they would become weak. Plutarch strongteachingson Politics is not like an ocean voyage or a military campaign... something which leaves off as soon as reached. It is not a public chore to be gotten over with. It is a way of life. Plutarch politicaloceanmilitary Reason speaks and feeling bites Plutarch speakreasonfeelings Children are to be won to follow liberal studies by exhortations and rational motives, and on no account to be forced thereto by whipping. Plutarch whippingstudychildren Alexander wept when he heard from Anaxarchus that there was an infinite number of worlds; and his friends asking him if any accident had befallen him, he returns this answer: "Do you not think it a matter worthy of lamentation that when there is such a vast multitude of them, we have not yet conquered one? Plutarch askingnumbersthinking As geographers, Sosius, crowd into the edges of their maps parts of the world which they do not know about, adding notes in the margin to the effect that beyond this lies nothing but sandy deserts full of wild beasts, and unapproachable bogs. Plutarch desertlyingworld To conduct great matters and never commit a fault is above the force of human nature. Plutarch faultshuman-naturematter One made the observation of the people of Asia that they were all slaves to one man, merely because they could not pronounce that syllable No. Plutarch asiamenpeople It is no great wonder if in long process of time, while fortune takes her course hither and thither, numerous coincidences should spontaneously occur. If the number and variety of subjects to be wrought upon be infinite, it is all the more easy for fortune, with such an abundance of material, to effect this similarity of results. Plutarch timenumberslong Extraordinary rains pretty generally fall after great battles. Plutarch battlerainfall
