Cato the Elder Quotes - Page 2

Farming, if you do one thing late, you will be late in all your work.

Wise men learn more from fools than fools from the wise.

From lightest words sometimes the direst quarrel springs.

Even though work stops, expenses run on.

Buy not what you want, but what you have need of; what you do not want is dear at a farthing.

An orator is a good man who is skilled in speaking.

Between the mouth and the morsel many things may happen.

The public has more interest in the punishment of an injury than he who receives it.

When you have decided to purchase a farm, be careful not to buy rashly; do not spare your visits and be not content with a single tour of inspection. The more you go, the more will the place please you, if it be worth your attention. Give heed to the appearance of the neighbourhood, - a flourishing country should show its prosperity. "When you go in, look about, so that, when needs be, you can find your way out.

Be firm or mild as the occasion may require.

When you have arrived at your country house and have saluted your household, you should make the rounds of the farm the same day, if possible; if not, then certainly the next day. When you have observed how the field work has progressed, what things have been done, and what remains undone, you should summon your overseer the next day, and should call for a report of what work has been done in good season and why it has not been possible to complete the rest, and what wine and corn and other crops have been gathered.

After I am dead, I would rather have men ask why Cato has no monument than why he had one.

Cessation of work is not accompanied by cessation of expenses

Moreover, I consider that Carthage should be destroyed.