Source: De Institutione Oratoria
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Famous Quintilian Quotes
Source: Quintilian's institutes of eloquence ...
“The obscurity of a writer is generally in proportion to his incapacity.”
“While we are making up our minds as to when we shall begin. the opportunity is lost.”
Source: Quintilian's institutes of eloquence ...
“That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes.”
“For comic writers charge Socrates with making the worse appear the better reason.”
“It is easier to do many things than to do one thing continuously for a long time.”
“The learned understand the reason of art; the unlearned feel the pleasure.”
Source: Quinctilian's Institutes of Eloquence: Or, The Art of Speaking in Public, in Every Character and Capacity
“Those who wish to appear wise among fools, among the wise seem foolish.”
“Satiety is a neighbor to continued pleasures. [Lat., Continuis voluptatibus vicina satietas.]”
“Suffering itself does less afflict the senses than the apprehension of suffering.”
“(Slaughter) means blood and iron. [Lat., Coedes videtur significare sanguinem et ferrum.]”
“It is much easier to try one's hand at many things than to concentrate one's powers on one thing.”
Source: Quintilian's Institutes of Oratory, Or, Education of an Orator: In Twelve Books
“Let us never adopt the maxim, Rather lose our friend than our jest.”
“A liar should have a good memory.”
Source: Delphi Complete Works of Quintilian (Illustrated)
“Whilst we deliberate how to begin a thing, it grows too late to begin it.”
Source: Delphi Complete Works of Quintilian (Illustrated)
“A laugh costs too much when bought at the expense of virtue.”
“He who speaks evil only differs from his who does evil in that he lacks opportunity.”
“When defeat is inevitable, it is wisest to yield.”
Source: Delphi Complete Works of Quintilian (Illustrated)
“It is the nurse that the child first hears, and her words that he will first attempt to imitate.”
Source: Delphi Complete Works of Quintilian (Illustrated)
Source: The Instituto Oratoria of Quintilian
Source: Delphi Complete Works of Quintilian (Illustrated)
Source: Delphi Complete Works of Quintilian (Illustrated)
Source: Delphi Complete Works of Quintilian (Illustrated)
“Forbidden pleasures alone are loved immoderately; when lawful, they do not excite desire.”
“Nature herself has never attempted to effect great changes rapidly.”
Source: Quinctilian's Institutes of Eloquence: Or, The Art of Speaking in Public, in Every Character and Capacity
“Where evil habits are once settled, they are more easily broken than mended.”