Quintus Ennius Quotes

The victor is not victorious if the vanquished does not consider himself so

Let no one weep for me, or celebrate my funeral with mourning; for I still live, as I pass to and fro through the mouths of men.

The idle mind knows not what it wants.

A true friend is tested in adversity.

No one regards what is before his feet; we all gaze at the stars.

Whom men fear they hate, and whom they hate, they wish dead.

He who civilly shows the way to one who has missed it, is as one who has lighted another's lamp from his own lamp; it none the less gives light to himself when it burns for the other.

A true friend is distinguished in the crisis of hazard and necessity; when the gallantry of his aid may show the worth of his soul and the loyalty of his heart.

He hath freedom whoso beareth a clean and constant heart within.

A sure friend is known in unsure circumstances.

The wise man is wise in vain who cannot be wise to his own advantage. [Lat., Nequicquam sapere sapientem, qui ipse sibi prodesse non quiret.]

He who has two languages has two souls.

He whose wisdom cannot help him, gets no good from being wise.

They hate whom they fear.

How can life be worth living, if devoid Of the calm trust reposed by friend in friend? What sweeter joy than in the kindred soul, Whose converse differs not from self-communion?

A true friend is a friend when in difficulty

That is true liberty, which bears a pure and firm breast.

I never indulge in rhyme or stanza Unless I'm in bed with the influenza.

Don't ask of your friends what you yourself can do.

The Roman state stands by ancient customs, and its manhood.

One man by delay restored the state, for he preferred the public safety to idle report. [Lat., Unus homo nobis cunctando restituit rem, Non ponebat enim rumores ante salutem.]

The ape, vilest of beasts, how like to us.

One man restored our fortunes by delay. [By skilfully avoiding an engagement, Fabius exhausted the resources of the enemy.]

To open his lips is crime in a plain citizen.

One man by delaying saved the state for us.