110+ Juvenal Quotes (Satirical, Cynical And Poignant)

Juvenal was a Roman poet who lived in the first and second centuries AD. He is best known for his six surviving satires, which criticize society and politics in Ancient Rome. His works remain influential to this day and are studied by scholars of Latin literature.

Top 10 Juvenal Quotes

1. Rare is the union of beauty and purity.
2. Give them bread and circuses and they will never revolt
3. A lucky man is rarer than a white crow.
4. The brief span of our poor unhappy life to its final hour Is hastening on; and while we drink and call for gay wreaths, Perfumes, and young girls, old age creeps upon us, unperceived.
5. The abject pleasure of an abject mind And hence so dear to poor weak woman kind. [Lat., Vindicta Nemo magis gaudet, quam femina.]
6. All wish to possess knowledge, but few, comparatively speaking, are willing to pay the price.
7. Pray for a healthy mind in a healthy body.
8. Luck often raises vulgarity to a high position, to create mirth for the beholders.
9. It is not easy for men to rise whose qualities are thwarted by poverty.
10. Revenge is always the weak pleasure of a little and narrow mind.

Juvenal Image Quotes

A lucky man is rarer than a white crow. — Juvenal

Juvenal Short Quotes

• Never does nature say one thing and wisdom another.
• Many individuals have, like uncut diamonds, shining qualities beneath a rough exterior.
• When talent fails, indignation writes the verse.
• Two things only the people actually desire: bread and circuses.
• But who guards the guardians?
• Wisdom overcomes fortune.
• To lay down one's life for the truth.
• Even savage animals can agree among themselves.
• Integrity is praised and then left out in the cold.
• All things may be bought in Rome with money.

Juvenal Famous Quotes And Sayings

A lucky man is rarer than a white crow. — Juvenal

Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses. — Juvenal

Now that no one buys our votes, the public has long since cast off its cares; for the people that once bestowed commands, consulships, legions, and all else, now meddles no more and longs eagerly for just two things - bread and circuses. — Juvenal

The people that once bestowed commands, consulships, legions, and all else, now concerns itself no more, and longs eagerly for just two things: bread and circuses! — Juvenal

Today there's more fellowship among snakes than among mankind. Wild beasts spare those with similar markings. — Juvenal

Refrain from doing ill; for one all powerful reason, lest our children should copy our misdeeds; we are all too prone to imitate whatever is base and depraved. — Juvenal

Yes, know thyself: in great concerns or small, be this thy care, for this, my friend, is all. — Juvenal

The skilful class of flatterers praise the discourse of an ignorant friend and the face of a deformed one. — Juvenal

But grant the wrath of Heaven be great, 'tis slow. [Lat., Ut sit magna tamen certe lenta ira deorum est.] — Juvenal

No wicked man knows happiness, and least of all the seducer of others. — Juvenal

The grape gains its purple tinge by looking at another grape. [Lat., Uvaque conspecta livorem ducit ab uva.] — Juvenal

Revenge is sweeter than life itself. So think fools. — Juvenal

Rare indulgence produces greater pleasure. — Juvenal

The love of money grows as the money itself grows. — Juvenal

Who watches the watchmen? — Juvenal

There's a lust in man, no charm can tame, of loudly publishing our neighbor's shame. — Juvenal

Nature never says one thing and wisdom another. — Juvenal

There is nothing worse than words of kindness that lie. — Juvenal

Like warmed-up cabbage served at each repast, The repetition kills the wretch at last. — Juvenal

Few people can distinguish the genuinely good from the reverse. — Juvenal

The people long eagerly for just two things. Bread and circuses. — Juvenal

Here we all live in a state of ambitious poverty. — Juvenal

A third heir seldom enjoys what has been dishonestly acquired. — Juvenal

No one every suddenly became depraved. — Juvenal

Whenever fortune wishes to joke, she lifts people from what is humble to the highest extremity of affairs. — Juvenal

Nobody ever became depraved all at once. [Lat., Nemo repente fuit turpissimus.] — Juvenal

A sound mind in a sound body is a thing to be prayed for. — Juvenal

From where can your authority and license as a parent come from, when you who are old, do worse things? — Juvenal

It is difficult not to write satire. — Juvenal

So rare is the union of beauty with modesty. — Juvenal

The smell of profit is clean and sweet, whatever the source. — Juvenal

Your prayer must be for a sound mind in a sound body. — Juvenal

Be gentle with the young. — Juvenal

Of the woes Of unhappy poverty, none is more difficult to bear Than that it heaps men with ridicule. — Juvenal

Revenge, we find, the abject pleasure of an abject mind. — Juvenal

For He, who gave this vast machine to roll, Breathed Life in then, in us a Reasoning Soul; That kindred feelings might our state improve, And mutual wants conduct to mutual love. — Juvenal

Be, as many now are, luxurious to yourself, parsimonious to your friends. [Lat., Esto, ut nunc multi, dives tibi pauper amicis.] — Juvenal

A rare bird on this earth, like nothing so much as a black swan. — Juvenal

A man who has nothing can whistle in a robber's face. — Juvenal

We are too quick to imitate depraved examples. — Juvenal

Peace visits not the guilty mind. — Juvenal

Luxury is more deadly than any foe. — Juvenal

To eat at another's table is your ambition's height. [Lat., Bona summa putes, aliena vivere quadra.] — Juvenal

It is sheer madness to live in want in order to be wealthy when you die. — Juvenal

How incessant and great are the ills with which a prolonged old age is replete. — Juvenal

Honesty's praised, then left to freeze. — Juvenal

When a man's life is at stake no delay is too long. [Lat., Nulla unquam de morte cunctatio longa est.] — Juvenal

No other protection is wanting, provided you are under the guidance of prudence. — Juvenal

Writing is the incurable itch that possesses many. — Juvenal

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? - Who will watch the watchers? — Juvenal

Fond man! though all the heroes of your line Bedeck your halls, and round your galleries shine In proud display; yet take this truth from me-- Virtue alone is true nobility! — Juvenal

Satire is what closes Saturday night. — Juvenal

Whatever guilt is perpetrated by some evil prompting, is grievous to the author of the crime. This is the first punishment of guilt that no one who is guilty is acquitted at the judgment seat of his own conscience. — Juvenal

There is never a lawsuit but a woman is at the bottom of it. — Juvenal

Conscience, the executioner, shaking her secret scourge. — Juvenal

Wisdom is the winner over good luck. — Juvenal

It is a wretched thing to live on the fame of others. — Juvenal

Our prayers should be for a sound mind in a healthy body. [Lat., Orandum est ut sit mens sana in corpore sano.] — Juvenal

Many commit the same crimes with a very different result. One bears a cross for his crime; another a crown. — Juvenal

Dat veniam corvis, vexat censura columbas. - Censure acquits the raven, but pursues the dove. — Juvenal

The love of pelf increases with the pelf. [Lat., Crescit amor nummi quantum ipsa pecunia crescit.] — Juvenal

We are all easily taught to imitate what is base and depraved. [Lat., Dociles imitandis Turpibus ac pravis omnes sumus.] — Juvenal

Many suffer from the incurable disease of writing, and it becomes chronic in their sick minds. — Juvenal

All wish to be learned, but no one is willing to pay the price. — Juvenal

He who wishes to become rich wishes to become so immediately. — Juvenal

Two things only the people desire: bread, and the circus games. — Juvenal

Of what use are pedigrees, or to be thought of noble blood, or the display of family portraits, O Ponticus? — Juvenal

Sit mens sana in corpore sano (a healthy mind in a healthy body) — Juvenal

No nice extreme a true Italian knows; But bid him go to hell, to hell he goes. — Juvenal

A child is owed the greatest respect; if you have ever have something disgraceful in mind, don't ignore your son's tender years. — Juvenal

Those who desire to become rich, desire it at once. — Juvenal

Of what avail are pedigrees? — Juvenal

In their palate alone is their reason of existence. [Lat., In solo vivendi causa palata est.] — Juvenal

In the present state of the world it is difficult not to write lampoons. — Juvenal

Dare to do things worthy of imprisonment if you mean to be of consequence. — Juvenal

Now we suffer the evils of a long peace; luxury more cruel than war broods over us and avenges a conquered world. — Juvenal

What is more cruel than a tyrant's ear? — Juvenal

Bid the hungry Greek go to heaven, he will go. [Lat., Graeculus esuriens in coelum, jusseris, ibit.] — Juvenal

What is the use of your pedigrees? — Juvenal

Everything is Greek, when it is more shameful to be ignorant of Latin. — Juvenal

Nature confesses that she has bestowed on the human race hearts of softest mould, in that she has given us tears. — Juvenal

One globe seemed all too small for the youthful Alexander. — Juvenal

Rarely they rise by virtue's aid who lie plunged in the depth of helpless poverty. — Juvenal

Let me moderate our sorrows. The grief of a man should not exceed proper bounds, but be in proportion to the blow he has received. [Lat., Ponamus nimios gemitus: flagrantior aequo Non debet dolor esse viri, nec vulnere major.] — Juvenal

Those who do not wish to kill any one, wish they had the power. [Lat., Et qui nolunt occidere quemquam Posse volunt.] — Juvenal

Fortune can, for her pleasure, fools advance, And toss them on the wheels of Chance. — Juvenal

No one becomes depraved all at once. — Juvenal

What day is so festal it fails to reveal some theft? — Juvenal

The tongue is the vile slave's vilest part. — Juvenal

One man meets an infamous punishment for that crime which confers a diadem on others. — Juvenal

Man, wretched man, whene'er he stoops to sin, Feels, with the act, a strong remorse within. — Juvenal

Life Lessons by Juvenal

1. Juvenal taught that life should be lived with integrity and honesty, and that we should be wary of those who seek to exploit us for their own gain.
2. He also warned against the dangers of greed and excess, and encouraged us to strive for a life of moderation and contentment.
3. Finally, Juvenal taught us to appreciate the beauty of life and to make the most of our time here on earth, while being mindful of its fragility.