He who speaks evil only differs from his who does evil in that he lacks opportunity. Quintilian More Quotes by Quintilian More Quotes From Quintilian Usage is the best language teacher. Quintilian usagelanguageteacher Our minds are like our stomaches; they are whetted by the change of their food, and variety supplies both with fresh appetite. Quintilian mindfoodlife As regards parents, I should like to see them as highly educated as possible, and I do not restrict this remark to fathers alone. Quintilian parentpregnancyfather The perfection of art is to conceal art. Quintilian designperfectionart It seldom happens that a premature shoot of genius ever arrives at maturity. Quintilian maturitygeniushappens A laugh costs too much when bought at the expense of virtue. Quintilian costtoo-muchlaughing Ambition is a vice, but it may be the father of virtue. Quintilian vicesambitionfather Without natural gifts technical rules are useless. Quintilian natural-giftsuselessnatural Men of quality are in the wrong to undervalue, as they often do, the practise of a fair and quick hand in writing; for it is no immaterial accomplishment. Quintilian writingmenhands If you direct your whole thought to work itself, none of the things which invade eyes or ears will reach the mind. Quintilian eyemindwork It is much easier to try one's hand at many things than to concentrate one's powers on one thing. Quintilian easiertryinghands Sayings designed to raise a laugh are generally untrue and never complimentary. Laughter is never far removed from derision. Quintilian raiseslaughterlaughing Lately we have had many losses. Quintilian loss The pretended admission of a fault on our part creates an excellent impression. Quintilian brilliantfaultsexcellent It is the nurse that the child first hears, and her words that he will first attempt to imitate. Quintilian nursechildrenfirsts While we ponder when to begin, it becomes too late to do. Quintilian ponderinglatetoo-late Nothing can be pleasing which is not also becoming. Quintilian becoming Conscience is a thousand witnesses. Quintilian consciencewitnessthousand Too exact, and studious of similitude rather than of beauty. Quintilian studiousbeauty The soul languishing in obscurity contracts a kind of rust, or abandons itself to the chimera of presumption; for it is natural for it to acquire something, even when separated from any one. Quintilian rustobscuritysoul
