Claudian

5th century Roman Latin poet

Claudius Claudianus (c. 370404 AD), known in English as Claudian, was an Alexandrian poet, writing first in Greek and later in Latin. By many he is considered the last of the great Classical Latin poets.

English quotations here are taken from the translation by Maurice Platnauer in the Loeb Classical Library.

Quotes

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  • In commune iubes si quid censesque tenendum,
    primus iussa subi: tunc observantior aequi
    fit populus nec ferre negat, cum viderit ipsum
    auctorem parere sibi. componitur orbis
    regis ad exemplum, nec sic inflectere sensus
    humanos edicta valent quam vita regentis.
    Mobile mutatur semper cum principe vulgus.
    • If thou make any law or establish any custom for the general good, be the first to submit thyself thereto; then does a people show more regard for justice nor refuse submission when it has seen their author obedient to his own laws. The world shapes itself after its ruler's pattern, nor can edicts sway men's minds so much as their monarch's life; the unstable crowd ever changes along with the prince.
    • Panegyricus de Quarto Consulatu Honorii Augusti, lines 296-301.
  • Iam non ad culmina rerum
    iniustos crevisse queror; tolluntur in altum
    ut lapsu graviore ruant.
    • No longer can I complain that the unrighteous man reaches the highest pinnacle of success. He is raised aloft that he may be hurled down in more headlong ruin.
    • In Rufinum, Bk. I, lines 21-23.
  • Natura beatis,
    omnibus esse dedit, si quis cognoverit uti.
  • Paupertas me saeva domat dirusque Cupido:
    sed toleranda fames, non tolerandus amor.
    • Biting poverty and cruel Cupid are my foes. Hunger I can endure; love I cannot.
    • Epigram XV
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