1st century BC
Publilius Syrus
A Syrian brought to Rome as a slave who won his freedom and became a star of the comic stage. The one-line maxims taken from his plays were copied by schoolboys for centuries.
Every line we carry
Each one links to its source, what it means, and the shirt in any of our looks.
- It is a bad plan that admits of no modification.
A plan that cannot bend breaks at the first surprise. Publilius, a former slave whose one-line maxims were gathered from his plays for the Roman stage, saw that rigidity is not strength. Make a plan, then expect to adjust it.
Sentences, no. 469 (Lyman numbering), D. Lyman, 1856
- He wins twice who masters himself in victory.
Winning is the moment you are most likely to lose your head. The person who stays measured after a win, who doesn't gloat or overreach, takes a second victory over himself. Celebrate, then get back to work.
Sententiae, B 21 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- The wise rule their mind. Fools serve it.
Everyone has moods, cravings and racing thoughts. The difference is who gives the orders. Notice what your mind is pushing you toward and decide whether to follow it.
Sententiae, A 41 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- A plan that cannot change is a bad plan.
Conditions move, so a good plan has to move with them. Rigid plans break the moment the wind shifts. Hold the goal firmly and the route loosely.
Sententiae, M 54 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- No one reached the top by being afraid.
Fear keeps you safe at the bottom of the hill. Every summit, career or wave worth riding asks you to go while you are still scared. Feel it and climb anyway.
Sententiae, N 68 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Danger is never beaten without danger.
You cannot clear a threat from a safe distance. Solving a real problem means stepping into some risk of your own. Accept the exposure that the job demands.
Sententiae, N 7 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Whoever always fears is condemned every day.
The thing you dread may happen once or never, but the dread itself is served daily. Constant fear is a sentence you pass on yourself. Face the worst case once and stop paying for it every morning.
Sententiae, C 13 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Each day is the student of the day before.
Today gets to learn from everything yesterday got wrong. That only works if you look back long enough to take the lesson. Review the day, then let tomorrow be smarter.
Sententiae, D 1 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Give quickly and you give twice.
Help that arrives in time is worth double help that arrives late. Someone in need feels every hour of waiting. When you are going to give, give now.
Sententiae, I 6 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Poverty lacks much. Greed lacks everything.
A poor man is missing some things; a greedy man is missing all of them, because nothing is ever enough. Want is a state of mind as much as a bank balance. Decide what enough looks like.
Sententiae, I 7 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Fear most the anger of a good man.
A decent person puts up with a lot, so when they finally get angry it means something real has happened. Their anger has weight because it is rare. Don't mistake patience for weakness.
Sententiae, G 2 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Prepare a long time to win quickly.
Quick victories are built on slow preparation. The fight looks easy only because the work was done long before it. Train, plan and stock up while nothing is happening.
Sententiae, D 3 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Deliberate often. Decide once.
Think through a choice as many times as you need. Once you decide, stop reopening it. A settled decision frees your energy for doing the thing.
Sententiae, D 10 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- While you deliberate, the chance dies.
Openings have a shelf life. Too much weighing and the door shuts while you are still thinking about it. Set a deadline for deciding and keep it.
Sententiae, D 18 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Even a single hair casts a shadow.
Nothing is so small that it leaves no mark. Small words, small lies and small kindnesses all have effects. Treat the details as if they count, because they do.
Sententiae, E 13 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Luck is glass. It breaks just as it shines.
Good fortune is bright and fragile at the same time. The moment things look best is often the moment they are most exposed. Enjoy the shine and don't lean your whole weight on it.
Sententiae, F 24 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Bear what can't be changed. Don't blame it.
Complaining about the unchangeable wastes the strength you need to carry it. Weather, age and the past are not taking your notes. Carry the weight and spend your effort where it can move something.
Sententiae, F 11 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Argue too much and the truth gets lost.
Past a certain point an argument is about winning, not about what is true. Both sides dig in and the facts drop out of sight. Say your piece, listen, and know when to stop.
Sententiae, N 58 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- When things are in doubt, boldness is worth the most.
Uncertainty freezes most people. In those moments the one who moves decisively often carries the day. When no one knows what to do, a bold step is worth more than a perfect plan.
Sententiae, I 30 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Beat your anger and you beat your greatest enemy.
Most of the damage we suffer comes from our own temper. Whoever learns to master it has overcome the strongest opponent they will ever face. Count to ten, then act.
Sententiae, I 22 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- The law sees the angry man. The angry man doesn't see the law.
Anger narrows your vision until you can't see consequences, but consequences can still see you. The rules don't pause because you are furious. Wait until you can see clearly before you act.
Sententiae, L 13 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Slip once, it's a slip. Fall twice, it's your fault.
A first mistake can be bad luck. Making the same one again means you didn't learn. Make new mistakes, not the old ones.
Sententiae, L 12 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Shipwrecked twice? Don't blame the sea.
The first wreck might be the storm. The second one is about the sailor. When the same disaster keeps happening, look at your own hands on the helm.
Sententiae, I 35 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Look down on death and you've beaten every fear.
Most fears are smaller cousins of the fear of dying. Make peace with the biggest one and the rest lose their grip. Live as someone who has already faced the worst.
Sententiae, M 56 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Those who think they'll live forever live badly.
Believing you have endless time is how a life gets postponed. Plans drift and the important things wait. Remember the clock and act like it is running.
Sententiae, M 22 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Everything was sour before it was ripe.
Every skill and every fruit starts bitter. The awkward early stage is not a sign you are failing; it is a sign you are growing. Give it time to ripen.
Sententiae, N 38 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Able to harm and choosing not to: the highest praise.
Gentleness only counts when you could do otherwise. Restraint from someone strong is a virtue; from someone weak it is just a lack of options. Be capable, then be kind.
Sententiae, N 39 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Unless you think for yourself, listening to the wise is useless.
Advice only helps a mind that works on it. Books, mentors and quotes are raw material, not answers. Do the thinking yourself.
Sententiae, N 69 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- The greatest things have the smallest beginnings.
Every oak was an acorn and every company was an idea on a napkin. Small starts are not a reason to wait. Begin small and keep going.
Sententiae, N 32 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Whatever will be highest starts from the bottom.
Every peak begins at ground level. No one starts at the top, and the ones who seem to have skipped steps usually haven't. Start low and climb.
Sententiae, Q 72 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- To fear nothing, be wary of everything.
Fearlessness is earned through caution, not instead of it. Check every rope and you can climb without worry. Prepare so thoroughly that there is nothing left to fear.
Sententiae, S 36 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Don't complain about trouble you caused.
It is easy to blame luck for the results of our own choices. Owning the mistake is the only way to fix it. If you want to get better, blame yourself.
Sententiae, S 46 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Even the thorn is welcome that bears the rose.
Things worth having come with something sharp attached. Once you see the rose, the thorn makes sense. Accept the cost of what you love.
Sententiae, S 48 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- The coward calls himself careful. The miser calls himself thrifty.
Everyone has a flattering name for their worst habit. Fear dresses up as prudence and greed as saving. Call your own faults by their real names.
Sententiae, T 1 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- A brave face is part of the victory.
Confidence shows before the fight and it changes the fight. Opponents read your face as clearly as your moves. Look like you mean it.
Sententiae, V 38 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Pleasure won the hard way is the sweetest.
The meal after a long hike, the wave after an hour of paddling: hard-won joys taste better. Ease cheapens pleasure. Earn your rewards.
Sententiae, V 21 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Where nothing is feared, something to fear is born.
Complacency breeds the very danger it ignores. When everyone relaxes, problems grow unseen. Stay alert most when all looks calm.
Sententiae, V 25 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- The wise guard against what's coming as if it were here.
Future trouble feels unreal until it arrives. The wise treat it as present and prepare now. Prepare for the end in the now.
Sententiae Turicenses (Q), no. 4 in the Latin Library text, our translation from the Latin
- Beat your enemy. Destroying him is too much.
Victory has a limit. Pressing on to ruin a beaten opponent turns a win into a feud. Win, then stop.
Sententiae Turicenses (S), no. 2 in the Latin Library text, our translation from the Latin
- Whoever speaks the truth is eloquent enough.
You don't need polish when you have the facts. Plain truth carries its own force. Say what is true and say it simply.
Sententiae Turicenses (S), no. 8 in the Latin Library text, our translation from the Latin
- Win with a plan, not with anger.
Anger feels powerful but plays badly. A cool plan beats a hot temper almost every time. Think, then strike.
Sententiae, C 11 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- To escape desire is to conquer a kingdom.
Craving keeps you in service to whatever you crave. Break free and you win a freedom kings envy. Master your wants and you master your life.
Sententiae, E 8 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- No rule is harder than the rule of habit.
Habit governs more of your day than any boss or law. That can work for you or against you. Choose your habits, because they will choose your life.
Sententiae, G 8 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Wherever someone goes first, there is a road.
Every path was once untrodden. Someone had to step out first and make the track others now follow. Be the one who goes first.
Sententiae, I 61 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- The tame are safer, but they serve.
Safety bought with obedience has a price: you live on someone else's terms. Wildness is riskier and freer. Choose with your eyes open.
Sententiae, M 65 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- A scar earned by courage is no disgrace.
Marks you get from doing something brave are a record, not a flaw. Hiding them would be the shame. Wear your scars plainly.
Sententiae, N 30 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin
- Trouble shows whether you have a friend or just a name.
Plenty of people call themselves your friends when things are easy. Hard times sort the real ones from the rest. Notice who shows up.
Sententiae, A 42 (order of the Latin Library text), our translation from the Latin