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

“Such power I gave the people as might do, Abridged not what they had, now lavished new, Those that were great in wealth and high in place My counsel likewise kept from all disgrace. Before them both I held my shield of might, And let not either touch the other's right.”

People Might Wealth Disgrace Shields

Book:Lives of the noble Grecians and Romans: Top Biography

Source: Lives of the noble Grecians and Romans: Top Biography

“Once when Phocion had delivered an opinion which pleased the people, he turned to his friend and said, "Have I not unawares spoken some mischievous thing or other?"”

People Said Opinion Mischievous

Author:Plutarch

“I, for my own part, had much rather people should say of me that there neither is nor ever was such a man as Plutarch, than that they should say, "Plutarch is an unsteady, fickle, froward, vindictive, and touchy fellow.”

People Men Should My Own Fellows Fickle Vindictive Touchy

Book:Plutarch's Morals

Source: Plutarch's Morals

“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”

People Men Mean Hands Spirit Poverty Mark Brave Righteous Sober Lofty Sloth Brave Man Extravagance Industrious Harbour Intemperance Handmaids Thoughtlessness

Author:Plutarch

“One made the observation of the people of Asia that they were all slaves to one man, merely because they could not pronounce that syllable No.”

People Men Made Slave Observation One Man Asia Syllables

Book:Plutarch's Morals

Source: Plutarch's Morals

“For there is no virtue, the honour and credit for which procures a man more odium from the elite than that of justice; and this, because more than any other, it acquires a man power and authority among the common people. For they only honour the valiant and admire the wise, while in addition they also love just men, and put entire trust and confidence in them.”

People Men Politics Justice Common Economy Virtue Wise Authority Credit Admire Liberalism Acquire Honour Elites Valiant

Author:Plutarch

“Of the land which the Romans gained by conquest from their neighbours, part they sold publicly, and turned the remainder into common; this common land they assigned to such of the citizens as were poor and indigent, for which they were to pay only a small acknowledgment into the public treasury. But when the wealthy men began to offer larger rents, and drive the poorer people out, it was enacted by law that no person whatever should enjoy more than five hundred acres of ground.”

Source: Plutarch's Lives: The Translation Called Dryden's

“Philosophy finds talkativeness a disease very difficult and hard to cure. For its remedy, conversation, requires hearers: but talkative people hear nobody, for they are ever prating. And the first evil this inability to keep silence produces is an inability to listen.”

People Firsts Hard Philosophy Evil Difficult Silence Talking Produce Conversation Disease Cures Remedy Inability Talkative

Book:Plutarch's Complete Works

Source: Plutarch's Complete Works

“Most people do not understand until old age what Plato tells them when they are young.”

People Age Young Old Age Plato

Author:Plutarch

“These Macedonians are a rude and clownish people; they call a spade a spade.”

People Rude Spades

Author:Plutarch

“The real destroyer of the liberties of the people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations and benefits.”

People Real Politics Liberty Democracy Benefits Spread Destroyers Donation Bounty

Author:Plutarch

“The man who first brought ruin upon the Roman people was he who pampered them by largesses and amusements.”

People Men Firsts He Man Ruins Amusement Pampered Largesse

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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