Marcus Porcius Cato, named Cato the Elder (234–149 BCE,) also known as ‘Censorius’ (‘the Censor,’) was a Roman statesman, soldier, orator, and author. The first Latin prose writer of importance, he was a dominant figure in both the political and the cultural life of Rome in the first half of the 2nd century BCE. His strict morality in office as well as in his private life became legendary.
Cato was born in Tusculum, Latium, today Italy, of peasant stock. He distinguished himself in the Second Punic War 218–202 BCE at the capture of Tarentum 209 BCE, and became successively quaestor, aedile, praetor, and consul 195 BCE. In Spain, he crushed a dreadful insurgency, and, in 191 BCE, as legatus, he was instrumental in the defeat of Antiochus III the Great.
Cato promoted the simple, strict social life of ancient Roman tradition, and denounced Greek refinement and luxury. Elected censor in 184 BCE, Cato introduced rigorous legislative reforms. He lived to see the start of the Third Punic War 149–146 BCE.
Cato’s influence on the growth of Latin literature was enormous. He was the author of Origines; the first history of Rome composed in Latin, it related the traditions of the founding of Rome and other Italian cities. His only surviving work is De agri cultura (On Farming,) the oldest remaining complete prose work in Latin, a discourse on agriculture written c. 160 BCE. It is a practical guidebook on the cultivation of grape vines and olives and the grazing of livestock, but it also contains many facts about ancient customs and superstitions.
Cato also compiled an encyclopaedia and Praecepta (Maxims,) as well as works on medicine, jurisprudence, and military science. Fragments of 80 survive of 150 speeches he published survive.
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The best way to keep good acts in memory is to refresh them with new.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Topics: Goodness
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
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: Age, Aging
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
Grasp the subject, the words will follow.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
I can pardon everybody’s mistakes except my own.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Topics: Mistakes, Forgiveness
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
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
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
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
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)
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: Character, Fame
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)
If you are ruled by mind you are a king; if by body, a slave.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Speech is the gift of all, but the thought of few.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Topics: Speech, Conversation
Flee sloth, for the indolence of the soul is the decay of the body.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
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
Cessation of work is not accompanied by cessation of expenses.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato)
Topics: Work
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
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