Rare is the union of beauty and purity.
— Juvenal
The most spectacular Juvenal quotes that will activate your desire to change
Give them bread and circuses and they will never revolt
A lucky man is rarer than a white crow.
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.
The abject pleasure of an abject mind And hence so dear to poor weak woman kind.
[Lat., Vindicta Nemo magis gaudet, quam femina.]
All wish to possess knowledge, but few, comparatively speaking, are willing to pay the price.
Pray for a healthy mind in a healthy body.
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.
Luck often raises vulgarity to a high position, to create mirth for the beholders.
It is not easy for men to rise whose qualities are thwarted by poverty.
Revenge is always the weak pleasure of a little and narrow mind.
Never does nature say one thing and wisdom another.
Many individuals have, like uncut diamonds, shining qualities beneath a rough exterior.
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.
When talent fails, indignation writes the verse.
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!
Two things only the people actually desire: bread and circuses.
But who guards the guardians?
Wisdom overcomes fortune.
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.
Today there's more fellowship among snakes than among mankind.
Wild beasts spare those with similar markings.
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.
The skilful class of flatterers praise the discourse of an ignorant friend and the face of a deformed one.
Yes, know thyself: in great concerns or small, be this thy care, for this, my friend, is all.
All things may be bought in Rome with money.
No wicked man knows happiness, and least of all the seducer of others.
But grant the wrath of Heaven be great, 'tis slow.
[Lat., Ut sit magna tamen certe lenta ira deorum est.]
The grape gains its purple tinge by looking at another grape.
[Lat., Uvaque conspecta livorem ducit ab uva.]
Who watches the watchmen?
Rare indulgence produces greater pleasure.
The love of money grows as the money itself grows.
There's a lust in man, no charm can tame, of loudly publishing our neighbor's shame.
Nature never says one thing and wisdom another.
Few people can distinguish the genuinely good from the reverse.
The people long eagerly for just two things. Bread and circuses.
A third heir seldom enjoys what has been dishonestly acquired.
There is nothing worse than words of kindness that lie.
Here we all live in a state of ambitious poverty.
Like warmed-up cabbage served at each repast, The repetition kills the wretch at last.
No one every suddenly became depraved.
Revenge is sweeter than life itself. So think fools.
A sound mind in a sound body is a thing to be prayed for.
Whenever fortune wishes to joke, she lifts people from what is humble to the highest extremity of affairs.
Nobody ever became depraved all at once. [Lat., Nemo repente fuit turpissimus.]
The smell of profit is clean and sweet, whatever the source.
Be gentle with the young.
Your prayer must be for a sound mind in a sound body.
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.