It is wise to be silent when occasion requires, and better than t... by Plutarch

It is wise to be silent when occasion requires, and better than to speak, though never so well.

Plutarch

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King Agis said, "The Lacedæmonians are not wont to ask how many,... by Plutarch

King Agis said, "The Lacedæmonians are not wont to ask how many, but where the enemy are."

kings said enemy

Had I a careful and pleasant companion that should show me my angry face in a glass, I should not at all take it ill; to behold man's self so unnaturally disguised and dishonored will conduce not a little to the impeachment of anger.

Lysander, when Dionysius sent him two gowns, and bade him choose which he would carry to his daughter, said, "She can choose best," and so took both away with him.

gowns daughter two

The pilot cannot mitigate the billows or calm the winds. by Plutarch

The pilot cannot mitigate the billows or calm the winds.

calm pilots wind

Lycurgus the Lacedæmonian brought long hair into fashion among his countrymen, saying that it rendered those that were handsome more beautiful, and those that were deformed more terrible. To one that advised him to set up a democracy in Sparta, "Pray," said Lycurgus, "do you first set up a democracy in your own house."

fashion hair beautiful

If you light upon an impertinent talker, that sticks to you like a bur, to the disappointment of your important occasions, deal freely with him, break off the discourse, and pursue your business.

break-off light disappointment

If any man think it a small matter, or of mean concernment, to bridle his tongue, he is much mistaken; for it is a point to be silent when occasion requires, and better than to speak, though never so well.

men mean thinking

Caesar's wife should be above suspicion. by Plutarch

Caesar's wife should be above suspicion.

caesars-wife wife should

Antagoras the poet was boiling a conger, and Antigonus, coming behind him as he was stirring his skillet, said, "Do you think, Antagoras, that Homer boiled congers when he wrote the deeds of Agamemnon?" Antagoras replied, "Do you think, O king, that Agamemnon, when he did such exploits, was a peeping in his army to see who boiled congers?

army kings thinking

Thrasyllus the Cynic begged a drachm of Antigonus. "That," said he, "is too little for a king to give." "Why, then," said the other, "give me a talent." "And that," said he, "is too much for a Cynic (or, for a dog) to receive."

kings dog giving

It is no flattery to give a friend a due character; for commendation is as much the duty of a friend as reprehension.

flattery giving character

Pythagoras, when he was asked what time was, answered that it was... by Plutarch

Pythagoras, when he was asked what time was, answered that it was the soul of this world.

soul time world

Those are greedy of praise prove that they are poor in merit. by Plutarch

Those are greedy of praise prove that they are poor in merit.

greedy merit praise

When Darius offered him ten thousand talents, and to divide Asia equally with him, "I would accept it," said Parmenio, "were I Alexander." "And so truly would I," said Alexander, "if I were Parmenio." But he answered Darius that the earth could not bear two suns, nor Asia two kings.

kings earth two

He is a fool who leaves things close at hand to follow what is ou... by Plutarch

He is a fool who leaves things close at hand to follow what is out of reach.

Poverty is never dishonourable in itself, but only when it is a mark of sloth, intemperance, extravagance, or thoughtlessness. When, on the other hand, it is the handmaid of a sober, industrious, righteous, and brave man, who devotes all his powers to the service of the people, it is the sign of a lofty spirit that harbours no mean thoughts

Aristodemus, a friend of Antigonus, supposed to be a cook's son, advised him to moderate his gifts and expenses. "Thy words," said he, "Aristodemus, smell of the apron.

aprons smell son

Dionysius the Elder, being asked whether he was at leisure, he replied, "God forbid that it should ever befall me!"

elders leisure should

Antisthenes says that in a certain faraway land the cold is so intense that words freeze as soon as they are uttered, and after some time then thaw and become audible, so that words spoken in winter go unheard until the next summer.

land summer winter

The crowns of kings do not prevent those who wear them from being tormented sometimes by violent headaches.

crowns kings sometimes