The Moral Sayings of Publius Syrus

"He is never happy whose thoughts always run with his fears."

"The kind attentions of the wife, speedily gender disgust for the concubine."

"He is a despicable sage whose wisdom does not profit himself."

"A cheerful obedience is universal, when the worthy bear rule."

"Every day should be passed as if it were to be our last."

"Be at war with men's vices, at peace with themselves."

"Craft, and not sorrow, is seen in a hypocrite's tears."

"We find something of the favor sought in a graceful refusal."

"Patience and fortitude create their own happiness."

"You do well to consider your friend's error your own."

"Be your money's master, not its slave."

"To take refuge with an inferior, is to betray one's self."

"Hearken rather to your conscience than to opinion."

"Freedom alone is the source of noble action."

"When you have good materials, employ good workmen."

"He who is eager to condemn, takes delight in condemning."

"A hasty verdict betrays a desire to find a crime committed."

"Wit itself is folly in a sage."

"He will yield to fear, who has no regard for honor."

"God looks at the clean hands, not the full ones."

"In being modest there is a slight touch of servility."

"He who violates another's honor loses his own."

"How happy the life unembarrassed by the cares of business!"

"How unhappy is he who cannot forgive himself!"

"How often must he ask for pardon who has refused it when asked!"

"How timid is he who stands in terror of poverty!"

"Consider the useful agreeable, even though if were not."

"He who hesitates to take the right course, deliberates to no purpose."

"It is no vice to keep a vice out of sight."

"He who can play the fool at pleasure can be wise if he will."

"He who has the power to harm is dreaded when he does not intend harm."

"He gets through too late who goes too fast."

"He who praises himself will speedily find a censor."

"He who fears his friend teaches his friend to fear him."

"Virtue's deeds are glory's deeds."

"It takes a long time to bring excellence to maturity."

"They pass peaceful lives who ignore mine and thine."

"The wise man guards against future evils as if they were present."

"What we admire, we never cease commending to ourselves."

"It matters not with what purpose you do it, if the act itself be bad."

"He can have what he wishes who wishes just enough."

"When the soul rules over itself its empire is lasting."

"He is condemned every day who stands in daily fear of condemnation."

"When you are in love you are not wise, and when you are wise you are not in love."

"When you forgive an enemy you gain many friends."

"It is robbery to receive a favor which you cannot return."

"Youth should be governed by reason, not by force."

"Good health and good sense are two of life's greatest blessings."

"He who imposes his own talk on the circle, does not converse; he plays the master."

"It is not a hard lot to be obliged to return to the state whence we came."