An angry man opens his mouth and shuts his eyes.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Topics: Anger
Some men are more beholden to their bitterest enemies than to friends who appear to be sweetness itself. The former frequently tell the truth, but the latter never.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Topics: Enemies
The best way to keep good acts in memory is to refresh them with new.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Topics: Goodness
Wise men profit more from fools than fools from wise men; for the wise men shun the mistakes of fools, but fools do not imitate the successes of the wise.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Topics: Mistakes, Wisdom
I would much rather that posterity should inquire why no statues were erected to me, than why they were.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
I can pardon everybody’s mistakes except my own.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Topics: Mistakes, Forgiveness
Good-breeding is the art of showing men, by external signs, the internal regard we have for them. It arises from good sense, improved by conversing with good company.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Topics: Manners
If you are ruled by mind you are a king; if by body, a slave.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Cessation of work is not accompanied by cessation of expenses.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Topics: Work
Grasp the subject, the words will follow.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Some have said that it is not the business of private men to meddle with government, — a bold and dishonest saying, which is fit to come from no mouth but that of a tyrant or a slave. To say that private men have nothing to do with government is to say that private men have nothing to do with their own happiness or misery; that people ought not to concern themselves whether they be naked or clothed, fed or starved, deceived or instructed, protected or destroyed.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Topics: Politics
I would much rather have men ask why I have no statue than why I have one.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Topics: Fame
An orator is a good man who is skilled in speaking.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
I think the first virtue is to restrain the tongue; he approaches nearest to gods who knows how to be silent, even though he is in the right.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Topics: Silence
Old age has deformities enough of its own. It should never add to them the deformity of vice.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Topics: Aging, Age
It is thus with farming, if you do one thing late, you will be late in all your work.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Topics: Farming
Speech is the gift of all, but the thought of few.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Topics: Speech, Conversation
It is remarkable that men, when they differ in what they think considerable, are apt to differ in almost everything else. Their difference begets contradiction; contradiction begets heat; heat rises into resentment, rage, and ill-will. — Thus they differ in affection, as they differ in judgment, and the contention which began in pride, ends in anger.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
It is a difficult matter to argue with the belly since it has no ears.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Topics: Eating
The greatest comfort of my old age, and that which gives me the highest satisfaction, is the pleasing remembrance of the many benefits and friendly offices I have done to others.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Topics: Aging
After I’m dead I’d rather have people ask why I have no monument than why I have one.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Topics: Fame, Character
Flee sloth, for the indolence of the soul is the decay of the body.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Terence Roman Comic Dramatist
Martial Ancient Roman Latin Poet
Pliny the Younger Roman Senator, Writer
Benjamin Franklin American Founding Father, Inventor
Mohandas K. Gandhi Indian Hindu Political leader
Edmund Burke British Philosopher, Statesman
Nelson Mandela South African Political leader
J. William Fulbright American Political leader
Laurens van der Post South African Explorer, Writer
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley English Political leader