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For the school of grammar has primacy: it is the fairest foundation of learning, the glorious mother of eloquence.

— Cassiodorus

Prima enim grammaticorum schola est fundamentum pulcherrimum litterarum, mater gloriosa facundiae.

Original text (Latin)

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More quotes by Cassiodorus

Poverty is the mother of crime.

For what is more glorious than music, which modulates the heavenly system with its sonorous sweetness, and binds together with its virtue the concord of nature which is scattered everywhere?

But who looks for serious conduct at the public shows? A Cato never goes to the circus. Anything said there by the people as they celebrate should be deemed no injury. It is a place that protects excesses. Patient acceptance of their chatter is a proven glory of princes themselves.

Grammar is the mistress of words, the embellisher of the human race; through the practice of the noble reading of ancient authors, she helps us, we know, by her counsels. The barbarian kings do not use her; as is well known, she remains unique to lawful rulers. For the tribes possess arms and the rest; rhetoric is found in sole obedience to the lords of the Romans.

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Cassiodorus (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.