Terence

Roman comic playwright

Publius Terentius Afer (195/185–159 BC), more commonly referred to as Terence, was a comic playwright of the Roman Republic. A Berber born in or near Carthage, his comedies were first performed between 170 BC and 160 BC.

I am human, I consider nothing human alien to me.
1496 edition of Terence's Works

Quotes edit

 
Nothing is so difficult but that it may be found out by seeking.

Andria (The Lady of Andros) edit

  • Do not they bring it to pass by knowing that they know nothing at all?
    • The Prologue, line 17.
  • Of surpassing beauty and in the bloom of youth.
    • Act I, scene 1, line 45 (72).
  • Obsequium amicos, veritas odium parit.
    • Obsequiousness begets friends, truth hatred.
      • Act I, scene i, Line 41
  • Hinc illae lacrimae.
    • Hence these tears.
      • Line 126.
    • Variant translation: Hence all those tears shed.
  • That is a true proverb which is wont to be commonly quoted, that "all had rather it were well for themselves than for another."
    • Act II, scene 5, line 15 (426).
  • Amantium irae amoris integratio est.
    • Lovers' quarrels are the renewal of love.
    • Act III, scene 3, line 23 (555).
    • Variant translation: Lovers’ rows make love whole again.
  • Look you, I am the most concerned in my own interests.
    • Act IV, scene 1, line 12 (636).

Heauton Timorumenos (The Self-Tormentor) edit

  • Homo sum: humani nihil a me alienum puto.

Variant:

  • Homo sum: humani nil a me alienum puto.
    • I am human, I consider nothing human alien to me.
      • Act I, scene 1, line 25 (77).
    • Variant translations:
    • I am a human and consider nothing human alien to me.
    • I am human, I consider nothing human to be alien to me.
    • I am human, therefore nothing relating to humanity is outside of my concern.
    • I am a man; I consider nothing human alien to me.
    • I am a man, I regard nothing that is human alien to me.
    • I am a man, I count nothing human foreign to me.
  • Periclum ex aliis facito tibi quod ex usu siet.
    • Draw from others the lesson that may profit yourself.
      • Act I, scene 2, line 37 (211).
  • Diem adimere aegritudinem hominibus.
    • Time removes distress.
      • Act III, scene 1, line 12 (421).
    • Variant translations:
    • Time heals all wounds.
    • Time assuages sorrow.
  • Aquilæ senectus.
    • Really, you have seen the old age of an eagle, as the saying is (i.e., a vigorous old age).
  • Many a time a man cannot be such as he would be, if circumstances do not admit of it.
    • Act IV, scene 1, line 53 (666).
  • Nil tam difficile est quin quaerendo investigari possit.
    • Nothing is so difficult but that it may be found out by seeking.
      • Act IV, scene 2, line 8 (675).
  • What now if the sky were to fall?
    • Act IV, scene 3, line 41 (719).
  • Ius summum saepe summa est malitia.
    • Extreme law is often extreme injustice.
      • Act IV, scene 5, line 48 (796).
    • Variant translations:
    • The highest law is often the greatest wrong.
    • Extreme justice is often extreme malice.
  • Aliis si licet, tibi non licet.
    • Some might, but not you.
      • Act IV, scene 5, line 49 (797).
    • Variant translations:
    • Though others were at liberty, you are not at liberty.
    • Even though it is permitted for others, it isn't permitted for you.
  • There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when you do it reluctantly.
    • Act IV, scene 6, line 1 (805).
  • How many things, both just and unjust, are sanctioned by custom!
    • Act IV, scene 7, line 11 (839).
  • Modo liceat vivere, est spes.
    • While there's life, there's hope.
      • Line 981.

Eunuchus edit

  • Nullum est iam dictum quod non dictum sit prius.
    • In fact, nothing is said that has not been said before.
    • Prologue, Line 41.
    • Variant translation: Nothing has yet been said that’s not been said before.
  • It is up with you; all is over; you are ruined.
    • Act I, scene 1, 9, line 54.
  • si istuc crederem/sincere dici, quidvis possem perpeti.
    • If I could believe that this was said sincerely, I could put up with anything.
      • Act I, scene 2, 96, line 176.
  • Immortal gods! how much does one man excel another! What a difference there is between a wise person and a fool!
    • Act II, scene 2, 1, line 232.
  • I have everything, yet have nothing; and although I possess nothing, still of nothing am I in want.
    • Act II, scene 2, 12, line 243.
  • There are vicissitudes in all things.
    • Act II, scene 2, 45, line 276.
  • The very flower of youth.
    • Act II, scene 3, 28, line 319.
  • I did not care one straw.
    • Act III, scene 1, 21, line 411.
  • Jupiter, now assuredly is the time when I could readily consent to be slain, lest life should sully this ecstasy with some disaster.
    • Act III, scene 5, 2, line 550.
  • Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus
    • Without Ceres (bread) and Bacchus (wine) Venus (love) freezes.
    • Act IV, scene 1, 1, line 5.
  • This and a great deal more like it I have had to put up with.
    • Act IV, scene 6, 8, line 746.
  • Take care and say this with presence of mind.
    • Act IV, scene 6, 31, line 769.
  • It behooves a prudent person to make trial of everything before arms.
    • Act IV, scene 7, 19, line 789.
  • I know the disposition of women: when you will, they won't; when you won't, they set their hearts upon you of their own inclination.
    • Act IV, scene 7, 42, line 812.
  • I took to my heels as fast as I could.
    • Act V, scene 2, 5, line 844.
  • Many a time,… from a bad beginning great friendships have sprung up.
    • Act V, scene 2, 34, line 873.
  • I only wish I may see your head stroked down with a slipper.
    • Act V, scene 7, 4, line 1028.

Phormio edit

  • Fortis fortuna adiuvat.
    • Fortune favours the brave.
    • Variant translation: Fortune assists the brave.
    • Act I, scene 4, line 25 (203).
    • Cf. Virgil, Aeneid, Book X, line 284: "Audentes fortuna iuvat."
  • It is the duty of all persons, when affairs are the most prosperous, 12 then in especial to reflect within themselves in what way they are to endure adversity.
    • Act II, scene 1, line 11 (241).
  • Nil est dictu facilius.
    • Nothing is easier to say.
    • Line 300.
  • Quot homines tot sententiae: suus cuique mos.
    • So many men, so many opinions: to each his own way.
    • Act II, scene 4, line 14 (454).
    • Variant translations:
    • There are as many opinions as there are people: each has his own view.
    • There are as many opinions as there are people: each has his own correct way.
    • There are as many opinions as there are people: everyone has their own way of doing things.
  • As the saying is, I have got a wolf by the ears.
    • Act III, scene 2, line 21 (506).

Adelphoe (The Brothers) edit

  • I bid him look into the lives of men as though into a mirror, and from others to take an example for himself.
    • Act III, scene 3, line 61 (415).
  • According as the man is, so must you humor him.
    • Act III, scene 3, line 77 (431).
  • It is a maxim of old that among themselves all things are common to friends.
    • Act V, scene 3, line 18 (803).
  • What comes from this quarter, set it down as so much gain.
    • Act V, scene 3, line 30 (816).
  • It is the common vice of all, in old age, to be too intent upon our interests.
    • Act V, scene 8, line 30 (953).

Quotes about edit

External links edit

 
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