The Moral Sayings of Publius Syrus

"A wise man rules his passions, a fool obeys them."

"Human reason grows rich by self-conquest."

"Tension weakens the bow; the want of it, the mind."

"When Gold argues the cause, eloquence is impotent."

"To receive a favor is to pawn your freedom."

"The more skillfully the language of goodness is assumed, the greater the depravity."

"In the presence of a good man, anger is speedily cooled."

"It is well to moor your bark with two anchors."

"Consult your conscience, rather than popular opinion."

"Consider what you ought to say, and not what you think."

"Wisdom had rather be buffeted than not be listened to."

"Folly had rather be unheard than be buffeted."

"Reproach in misfortune is an unseasonable cruelty."

"He who can get more than belongs to him is apt to accommodate his desires to his opportunity."

"Every man is a master in his own calling"

"Patience is a remedy for every sorrow."

"The greatest of comforts is to be free from blame."

"One day treats us like a hireling nurse, another, like a mother."

"Pleasant is the remembrance of the ills that are past."

"Avoid cupidity, and you conquer a kingdom."

"A kindness should be received in the spirit that prompted it."

"Speed itself is slow when cupidity waits."

"The party to which the rabble belong is ever the worst."

"Even calamity becomes virtue's opportunity."

"The good to which we have become accustomed, is often an evil."

"He who takes counsel of good faith, is just even to an enemy."

"It is sometimes expedient to forget who we are."

"We may with advantage at times forget what we know."

"Pecuniary gain first suggested to men to make Fortune a goddess."

"Many consult their reputation; but few their conscience."

"The master is a slave when he fears those whom he rules."

"Prosperity is the nurse of ill temper."

"Bear without murmuring what cannot be changed."

"Fortune has no lawful control over men's morals."

"An over-taxed patience gives way to fierce anger."

"A noble steed is not annoyed by the barking of dogs."

"It is a useless defense which cannot find a fair trial."

"The most formidable enemy lies hid in one's own heart."

"There are some remedies worse than the disease."

"Repentance for our past deeds is a severe mental punishment."

"Powerful indeed is the empire of habit."

"The severest affliction is the one which has never been tried."

"Do not take part in the council, unless you are called."

"Man's life is a loan, not a gift."

"Would you have a great empire? Rule over yourself."

"The sinner who repented after the offense, was a little imprudent."

"Avarice is kind to no one, and most cruel toward itself."

"To be not too sanguine of our conclusions, is one half of wisdom."

"To forget the wrongs you receive, is to remedy them."

"Even when we get what we wish, it is not ours."