Quintus Horatius Flaccus, was born on November 27, 8 BC. The renowned Roman Satirist and Lyrist was known in the English world as Horace. His father was a manumitted slave, however, he saved enough to see to Horace's education. His lyrical writings ('satires and lampoons') were to eventually come to the attention of Virgil and, in turn, to one of the ministers of Octavianus. With the recognition of those on high and gifts bestowed (one of which was a farm in the Sabinian Hills above Rome), Horace was able to lead a life of leisure and luxury; and, eventually, was to acquire the position of the poet laureate. His poetry supplies more phrases which have become proverbial than the rest of Latin literature put together.
A picture is a poem without words.
Adversity reveals genius, prosperity conceals it.
A word once uttered can never be recalled.
Adversity reveals genius, prosperity conceals it.
All seasons are beautiful for the person who carries happiness within.
Art is long, life is short. [Ars longa, vita brevis.]
Either follow tradition or invent what is self-consistent.
He has half the deed done who has made a beginning.
It is when I am struggling to be brief that I become unintelligible.
Knowledge without education is but armed injustice.
Pale Death with impartial tread beats at the poor man's cottage door and at the palaces of kings.
Remember, when life's path is steep, to keep your mind even.
Seize the day, leave as little as possible to tomorrow. [Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.]
Wisdom is not wisdom when it is derived from books alone.
Youth is unduly busy with pampering the outer person.
