163 Quotes by Pliny the Elder

Wine maketh the band quivering, the eye watery, the night unquiet, lewd dreams, a stinking breath in the morning, and an utter forgetfulness of all things.

In these matters the only certainty is that nothing is certain.

The most disgraceful cause of the scarcity [of remedies] is that even those who know them do not want to point them out, as if they were going to lose what they pass on to others.

Made up of the glories of the most precious gems, to describe them is a matter of inexpressible difficulty. For there is amongst them the gentler fire of the ruby, there is the rich purple of the amethyst, there is the sea-green of the emerald, and all shining together in an indescribable union. Others, by an excessive heightening of their hues equal all the colours of the painter, others the flame of burning brimstone, or of a fire quickened by oil.

No mortal man, moreover is wise at all moments.

The only certainty is uncertainty

It is generally much more shameful to lose a good reputation than never to have acquired it.

The best plan is to profit by the folly of others.

As land is improved by sowing it with various seeds, so is the mind by exercising it with different studies.