Petronius Quotes

The mind longs for what it has missed.

Outward beauty is not enough; to be attractive a woman must use words, wit, playfulness, sweet-talk, and laughter to transcend the gifts of nature.

Wisdom and beauty form a very rare combination.

Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur.

Nothing is falser than people's preconceptions and ready-made opinions; nothing is sillier than their sham morality.

Women are one and all a set of vultures.

A man who is always ready to believe what is told him will never do well, especially a businessman.

The world wants to be deceived.

Can't you see that I'm only advising you to beg yourself not to be so dumb

While fortune lasts you will see your friend's face.

Just as dumb creatures are snared by food, human beings would not be caught unless they had a nibble of hope.

Heaven is equally distant everywhere.

Leave your home, O youth, and seek out alien shores. A wider range of life has been ordained for you.

He that has a penny in his purse, is worth a penny: Have and you shall be esteemed.

What power has law where only money rules?

One good turn deserves another.

Beauty and wisdom are rarely conjoined.

He has gone over to the majority.

Everyone will find what he's looking for. Nothing pleases everyone: this man gathers thorns, that one roses.

I believe that school makes complete fools of our young men, because they see and hear nothing of ordinary life there.

The world wills itself to be deceived, so let it be deceived.

The favor for the favor or One hand washes the other.

A physician is nothing but a consoler of the mind.

It is fear that first brought gods into the world.

A huge dog, tied by a chain, was painted on the wall and over it was written in capital letters 'Beware of the dog.'

A doctor is nothing more than consolation for the spirit.

Just as dumb creatures are snared by food human beings would not be caught unless they had a nibble of hope.

So the starry sky turns round like a millstone, always bringing some trouble, and men being born or dying.

After all, I was once like you are, but being the right sort I got where I am.

It's the old headpiece that makes a man, the rest is all rubbish.

Can't you see that I'm only advising you to beg yourself not to be so dumb?