Home › Authors › Plautus
Plautus Quotes
254 BC–184 BC
Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC – 184 BC), born at Sarsina, Emilia-Romagna, was a comic playwright in the time of the Roman Republic. The years of his life are uncertain, but his plays were first produced between about 205 BC and 184 BC.
Also known as: Truculentus
Random Plautus quote
127 quotes
Women have many faults, but of the many this is the greatest, that they please themselves too much, and give too little attention to pleasing the men.
How often the highest talent lurks in obscurity!
He who seeks for gain, must be at some expense.
I had a regular battle with the dunghill-cock.
What is yours is mine, and all mine is yours.
I love truth, and wish to have it always spoken to me : I hate a liar. (translated by Thornton)
Don't you know? A woman who is generous to her lover is not generous enough to herself.
Keep what you’ve got ; the evil that we know is best. (translator Thornton)
Whene’er a man is quartered at a friend’s, if he but stay three days, his company they will grow weary of. (translator Thornton)
We should try to succeed by merit, not by favor. He who does well will always have patrons enough.
Know not what you know, and see not what you see.
In re mala animo si bono utare, adjuvat.
There are times when loss should be preferr’d to gain. (translator Thornton)
I have lost my oil and my labor. (Labored in vain.)
What is thine is mine, and all mine is thine.
I know that we women are all justly accounted praters; they say in the present day that there never was in any age such a wonder to be found as a dumb woman.
By Hercules! I have often heard that your piping-hot lie is the best of lies: what the gods dictate, that is right.
One eye-witness is of more weight than ten hearsays. Those who hear, speak of what they have heard; those who see, know beyond mistake.
Things we hope not for oftener come to pass than things we wish for. (translated by Thornton)
Courage in danger is half the battle.
Topics Plautus is quoted on