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.
Quotes
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- Do not they bring it to pass by knowing that they know nothing at all?
- The Prologue, line 17.
- Ne quid nimis.
- Moderation in all things. (Not anything in excess, a translation from the Greek μηδὲν ἄγαν. "Nothing in excess" as inscribed on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi.)
- Line 61.
- Moderation in all things. (Not anything in excess, a translation from the Greek μηδὲν ἄγαν. "Nothing in excess" as inscribed on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi.)
- 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
- Obsequiousness begets friends, truth hatred.
- Hinc illae lacrimae.
- Hence these tears.
- Line 126.
- Variant translation: Hence all those tears shed.
- Hence these tears.
- 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.
- 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.
- I am human, I consider nothing human alien 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).
- Draw from others the lesson that may profit yourself.
- Diem adimere aegritudinem hominibus.
- Time removes distress.
- Act III, scene 1, line 12 (421).
- Variant translations:
- Time heals all wounds.
- Time assuages sorrow.
- Time removes distress.
- Aquilæ senectus.
- Really, you have seen the old age of an eagle, as the saying is (i.e., a vigorous old age).
- Act III, scene 2, line 9 or 10 (520).
- Cited in Classical and Foreign Quotations (1904), no. 143
- 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).
- Nothing is so difficult but that it may be found out by seeking.
- 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.
- Extreme law is often extreme injustice.
- 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.
- Some might, but not 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.
- While there's life, there's hope.
- 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.
- If I could believe that this was said sincerely, I could put up with anything.
- 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
- 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).
- 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- as the Roman poet Terence said, “I am human, therefore nothing human is alien to me.”
External links
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- The six plays of Terence at The Latin Library
- Andria at The Perseus Digital Library
- Hecyra at The Perseus Digital Library
- Heautontimorumenos at The Perseus Digital Library
- The Eunuch at The Perseus Digital Library
- Phormio at The Perseus Digital Library
- The Brothers at The Perseus Digital Library
- 15th century scripts from Hecyra and Eunuchus, Center for Digital Initiatives, University of Vermont Libraries
- Terence's works
- The Life of Terence, part of Suetonius's De Viris Illustribus, Translated by J. C. Rolfe.
- Commentum Terenti by Aelius Donatus, at the Internet Archive; 1902 Teubner edition.
- SORGLL: Terence, Eunuch 232-264, read by Matthew Dillon
- Latin with Laughter: Terence through Time