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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Famous Plutarch Quotes

“Grief is natural; the absence of all feeling is undesirable, but moderation in grief should be observed, as in the face of all good or evil.”

Should Feelings Faces Evil Natural Grief Absence Moderation Undesirable

Author:Plutarch

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

Should Leisure Elders

Author:Plutarch

“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

“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

“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

“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.”

Men Should Littles Self Shows Faces Anger Angry Glasses Ill Careful Pleasant Companion Show Me Impeachment

Author:Plutarch

“When Anaxagoras was told of the death of his son, he only said, "I knew he was mortal." So we in all casualties of life should say "I knew my riches were uncertain, that my friend was but a man." Such considerations would soon pacify us, because all our troubles proceed from their being unexpected.”

Men Should Said Trouble Son My Friends Riches Mortals Unexpected Consideration Uncertain Casualties

Author:Plutarch

“A friend should be like money, tried before being required, not found faulty in our need.”

Needs Should Found Friends

Book:Plutarch's Complete Works

Source: Plutarch's Complete Works

“He (Cato) never gave his opinion in the Senate upon any other point whatever, without adding these words, "And, in my opinion Carthage should be destroyed." ["Delenda est Carthago."]”

Should Opinion Destroyed Senate Cato Carthage

Author:Plutarch

“Caesar's wife should be above suspicion.”

Should Wife Suspicion Caesar's Wife

Author:Plutarch

“The obligations of law and equity reach only to mankind; but kindness and beneficence should be extended to the creatures of every species, and these will flow from the breast of a true man, as streams that issue from the living fountain.”

Men Should Law Animal Kindness Issues Mankind Creatures Flow Philosophical Species Obligation Streams Breasts Vegetarian Vegan Fountain Equity Vegetarianism True Man Beneficence

Author:Plutarch

“I had rather men should ask why my statue is not set up, than why it is.”

Men Should Asks Statues

Book:Plutarch's Complete Works

Source: Plutarch's Complete Works

“Were it only to learn benevolence to humankind, we should be merciful to other creatures.”

Should Creatures Humankind Benevolence Merciful

Book:Plutarch's Lives

Source: Plutarch's Lives

“It is no great wonder if in long process of time, while fortune takes her course hither and thither, numerous coincidences should spontaneously occur. If the number and variety of subjects to be wrought upon be infinite, it is all the more easy for fortune, with such an abundance of material, to effect this similarity of results.”

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

“The new king [Alexander the Great] should perform acts so important and glorious as would make the poets and musicians of future ages labour and sweat to describe and celebrate him.”

Should Important Age Poet Kings Future Musician Celebrate Glorious Labour Sweat

Author:Plutarch

“When men are arrived at the goal, they should not turn back.”

Men Should Turns Goal Space

Book:Plutarch's Morals

Source: Plutarch's Morals

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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