Plutarch Quotes

Biographer

Plutarch, a renowned Greek historian and biographer, was born in 45 AD and died in 120 AD. His works are characterized by rigorous historical research and profound moral contemplation, having a profound impact on later generations.

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All Men Said Ifs Firsts Mind World Character Should Action Giving Wise Life Doe Littles Made People Politics Soul Virtue Enemy

Famous Plutarch Quotes

“Why does pouring Oil on the Sea make it Clear and Calm? Is it that the winds, slipping the smooth oil, have no force, nor cause any waves?”

Doe Force Causes Clear Sea Wind Calm Wave Oil Smooth Pouring Slipping Navigation

Book:Delphi Complete Works of Plutarch (Illustrated)

Source: Delphi Complete Works of Plutarch (Illustrated)

“It is not reasonable that he who does not shoot should hit the mark, nor that he who does not stand fast at his post should win the day, or that the helpless man should succeed or the coward prosper.”

Men Should Doe Winning Succeed Mark Posts Reasonable Coward Helpless

Book:Parallel Lives - Complete

Source: Parallel Lives - Complete

“Ought a man to be confident that he deserves his good fortune, and think much of himself when he has overcome a nation, or city, or empire; or does fortune give this as an example to the victor also of the uncertainty of human affairs, which never continue in one stay? For what time can there be for us mortals to feel confident, when our victories over others especially compel us to dread fortune, and while we are exulting, the reflection that the fatal day comes now to one, now to another, in regular succession, dashes our joy.”

Source: Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans: Complete

“The flatterer's object is to please in everything he does; whereas the true friend always does what is right, and so often gives pleasure, often pain, not wishing the latter, but not shunning it either, if he deems it best.”

Ifs Giving Doe Pain Wish Pleasure Objects Friends Please Latter True Friend Flatterer Shunning

Book:Plutarch's Morals: Ethical Essays

Source: Plutarch's Morals: Ethical Essays

“The superstitious man wishes he did not believe in gods, as the atheist does not, but fears to disbelieve in them.”

Men Believe Doe Wish Atheist Believe In God Superstitious

Author:Plutarch

“Both Empedocles and Heraclitus held it for a truth that man could not be altogether cleared from injustice in dealing with beasts as he now does.”

Men Doe Injustice Beast

Book:Plutarch's Complete Works

Source: Plutarch's Complete Works

“I don't need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.”

Author:Plutarch

“For he who gives no fuel to fire puts it out, and likewise he who does not in the beginning nurse his wrath and does not puff himself up with anger takes precautions against it and destroys it.”

Giving Doe Fire Anger Fuel Nurse Wrath Puff Precaution

Book:Delphi Complete Works of Plutarch (Illustrated)

Source: Delphi Complete Works of Plutarch (Illustrated)

“The Epicureans, according to whom animals had no creation, doe suppose that by mutation of one into another, they were first made; for they are the substantial part of the world; like as Anaxagoras and Euripides affirme in these tearmes: nothing dieth, but in changing as they doe one for another they show sundry formes.”

World Firsts Doe Made Shows Science Change Animal Creation Evolution Mutation Epicurean

Author:Plutarch

“For the mind does not require filling like a bottle, but rather, like wood, it only requires kindling to create in it an impulse to think independently and an ardent desire for the truth.”

Thinking Mind Doe Desire Technology Woods Impulse Bottles Filling Ardent Kindling

Book:Delphi Complete Works of Plutarch (Illustrated)

Source: Delphi Complete Works of Plutarch (Illustrated)

“It does not follow, that because a particular work of art succeeds in charming us, its creator also deserves our admiration.”

Doe Art Particular Succeed Deserve Creator Admiration Works Of Art Charming

Author:Plutarch

“Nothing is cheap which is superfluous, for what one does not need, is dear at a penny.”

Needs Doe Dear Consumerism Pennies Bargains Overconsumption Superfluous

Author:Plutarch

About the Author

Born: 45
Died: 120
Known for: Biographer
Quotes: 416

Books & Sources

Plutarch's MoralsRelated source material

Lives of the noble Grecians and Romans: Top BiographyRelated source material

Delphi Complete Works of Plutarch (Illustrated)Related source material

Plutarch's LivesRelated source material

Plutarch's Complete WorksRelated source material

Plutarch's Lives: Volume IRelated source material

Plutarch's Morals: Ethical EssaysRelated source material

Greek and Roman LivesRelated source material

Plutarch's Lives: Volume IIRelated source material

Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, comprising all the works collected under the title ofRelated source material

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