Epigrams Quotes

“What is an epigram? a dwarfish whole,
Its body brevity, and wit its soul.”

“epigrams”

“What is an Epigram? a dwarfish whole,
Its body brevity, and wit its soul.”

“Unlike my subject, I will make my song.
It shall be witty, and it shan't be long.”

“Thou art so witty, profligate and thin,
At once we think thee Satan, Death and Sin.”

“Wikipedia: Epigrams”

“Lycoris has buried all the female friends she had, Fabianus: would she were the friend of my wife!”

“Since your legs, Phœbus, resemble the horns of the moon, you might bathe your feet in a cornucopia.”

“Never think of leaving perfumes or wine to your heir. Administer these yourself, and let him have your money.”

“The book which you are reading aloud is mine, Fidentinus; but, while you read it so badly, it begins to be yours.”

“And have you been able, Flaccus, to see the slender Thais? Then, Flaccus, I suspect you can see what is invisible.”

“You complain, Velox, that the epigrams which I write are long. You yourself write nothing; your attempts are shorter.”

“EPIGRAM, n. A short, sharp saying in prose or verse, frequently characterize by acidity or acerbity and sometimes by wisdom.”

“"You are too free spoken," is your constant remark to me, Chœrilus. He who speaks against you, Chœrilus, is indeed a free speaker.”

“The diamond's virtues well might grace
The epigram, and both excel
In brilliancy in smallest space,
And power to cut as well.”

“See how the mountain goat hangs from the summit of the cliff; you would expect it to fall; it is merely showing its contempt for the dogs.”

“This picture, plac'd the busts between
Gives Satire all its strength;
Wisdom and Wit are little seen
While Folly glares at length.”

“You were constantly, Matho, a guest at my villa at Tivoli. Now you buy it—I have deceived you; I have merely sold you what was already your own.”

“You put fine dishes on your table, Olus, but you always put them on covered. This is ridiculous; in the same way I could put fine dishes on my table.”

“The qualities all in a bee that we meet,
In an epigram never should fail;
The body should always be little and sweet,
And a sting should be felt in its tail.”