Marcus Fabius Quintilianus

That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes

Our minds are like our stomaches; they are whetted by the change of their food, and variety supplies both with fresh appetite

Nothing is more dangerous to men than a sudden change of fortune

Nature herself has never attempted to effect great changes rapidly

Men, even when alone, lighten their labors by song, however rude it may be

It seldom happens that a premature shoot of genius ever arrives at maturity

It is much easier to try one’s hand at many things than to concentrate one’s powers on one thing

It is fitting that a liar should be a man of good memory

In almost everything, experience is more valuable than precept

He who speaks evil only differs from his who does evil in that he lacks opportunity

God, that all-powerful Creator of nature and architect of the world, has impressed man with no character so proper to distinguish him from other animals, as by the faculty of speech

Forbidden pleasures alone are loved immoderately; when lawful, they do not excite desire

Fear of the future is worse than one’s present fortune

Everything that has a beginning comes to an end

As regards parents, I should like to see them as highly educated as possible, and I do not restrict this remark to fathers alone

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That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes

Our minds are like our stomaches; they are whetted by the change of their food, and variety supplies both with fresh appetite

Nothing is more dangerous to men than a sudden change of fortune

Nature herself has never attempted to effect great changes rapidly

Men, even when alone, lighten their labors by song, however rude it may be

It seldom happens that a premature shoot of genius ever arrives at maturity

It is much easier to try one’s hand at many things than to concentrate one’s powers on one thing

It is fitting that a liar should be a man of good memory

In almost everything, experience is more valuable than precept

He who speaks evil only differs from his who does evil in that he lacks opportunity

God, that all-powerful Creator of nature and architect of the world, has impressed man with no character so proper to distinguish him from other animals, as by the faculty of speech

Forbidden pleasures alone are loved immoderately; when lawful, they do not excite desire

Fear of the future is worse than one’s present fortune

Everything that has a beginning comes to an end

As regards parents, I should like to see them as highly educated as possible, and I do not restrict this remark to fathers alone