Horace

Horace

32 quotes

Known primarily as a Roman lyric poet, Horace also happens to be one of the most quotable figures in our collection. The range of their thinking — from Death to Great — speaks to an intellectual restlessness that shows in every quote. Our collection holds 38 quotes from Horace, each offering a different angle on Death, Great, Anger, Wisdom, and Truth. As Horace put it: "The one who cannot restrain their anger will wish undone, what their temper and irritation prompted them to do."

“Anger is a short madness.”

— Horace

Anger

All Quotes by Horace

“Undeservedly you will atone for the sins of your fathers.”

— Horace

Dad

“Great effort is required to arrest decay and restore vigor. One must exercise proper deliberation, plan carefully before making a move, and be alert in guarding against relapse following a renaissance.”

— Horace

Great

“We are free to yield to truth.”

— Horace

Truth

“Pale death, with impartial step, knocks at the hut of the poor and the towers of kings.”

— Horace

Death

“Life grants nothing to us mortals without hard work.”

— Horace

Work

“Wisdom is not wisdom when it is derived from books alone.”

— Horace

Alone

“You may drive out nature with a pitchfork, yet she'll be constantly running back.”

— Horace

Nature

“It is courage, courage, courage, that raises the blood of life to crimson splendor. Live bravely and present a brave front to adversity.”

— Horace

Courage

“Seize the day, and put the least possible trust in tomorrow.”

— Horace

Trust

“No poems can please for long or live that are written by water drinkers.”

— Horace

Poetry

“It is no great art to say something briefly when, like Tacitus, one has something to say when one has nothing to say, however, and none the less writes a whole book and makes truth into a liar - that I call an achievement.”

— Horace

Art

“You traverse the world in search of happiness, which is within the reach of every man. A contented mind confers it on all.”

— Horace

Happiness

“A heart well prepared for adversity in bad times hopes, and in good times fears for a change in fortune.”

— Horace

Change

“A picture is a poem without words.”

— Horace

Art

“Cease to inquire what the future has in store, and take as a gift whatever the day brings forth.”

— Horace

Future

“Remember when life's path is steep to keep your mind even.”

— Horace

Life

“The power of daring anything their fancy suggest, as always been conceded to the painter and the poet.”

— Horace

Power

“Life is largely a matter of expectation.”

— Horace

Life

“It is your business when the wall next door catches fire.”

— Horace

Business

“Strange - is it not? That of the myriads who Before us passed the door of Darkness through, Not one returns to tell us of the road Which to discover we must travel too.”

— Horace

Travel