Quintus Ennius Quotes

Let no one weep for me, or celebrate my funeral with mourning; for I still live, as I pass to and fro through the mouths of men.

No one regards what is before his feet; we all gaze at the stars.

The idle mind knows not what it wants.

The wise man is wise in vain who cannot be wise to his own advantage. [Lat., Nequicquam sapere sapientem, qui ipse sibi prodesse non quiret.]

He who civilly shows the way to one who has missed it, is as one who has lighted another's lamp from his own lamp; it none the less gives light to himself when it burns for the other.

He hath freedom whoso beareth a clean and constant heart within.

He who has two languages has two souls.

Whom men fear they hate, and whom they hate, they wish dead.

A true friend is distinguished in the crisis of hazard and necessity; when the gallantry of his aid may show the worth of his soul and the loyalty of his heart.

How can life be worth living, if devoid Of the calm trust reposed by friend in friend? What sweeter joy than in the kindred soul, Whose converse differs not from self-communion?

The victor is not victorious if the vanquished does not consider himself so

A true friend is tested in adversity.

A true friend is a friend when in difficulty

To open his lips is crime in a plain citizen.

One man by delaying saved the state for us.

Here is he laid to whom for daring deed, nor friend nor foe could render worthy meed.

The Roman state stands by ancient customs, and its manhood.

O friend unseen, unborn, unknown, Student of our sweet English tongue, I never indulge in poetics - Unless I am down with rheumatics.

One man restored our fortunes by delay. [By skilfully avoiding an engagement, Fabius exhausted the resources of the enemy.]

Don't ask of your friends what you yourself can do.

The ape, vilest of beasts, how like to us.

He whose wisdom cannot help him, gets no good from being wise.

They hate whom they fear.

Let no one pay me honor with tears, nor celebrate my funeral rites with weeping.

I never indulge in rhyme or stanza Unless I'm in bed with the influenza.

A sure friend is known in unsure circumstances.

Ennius was the father of Roman poetry, because he first introduced into Latin the Greek manner and in particular the hexameter metre.

Amicu certus in re incerta cernitur' [A true friend is a friend when in difficulty]