Quintilian Quotes

We give to necessity the praise of virtue.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria - Book I, 95 ACE)

Nature herself has never attempted to effect great changes rapidly.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria - Book X, 95 ACE)

Vain hopes are often like the dreams of those who wake.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria - Book VI, 95 ACE)

He who speaks evil only differs from his who does evil in that he lacks opportunity.
Variant: The evil speaker differ from the evil doer only in respect of opportunity.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria, 95 ACE)

We excuse our sloth under the pretext of difficulty.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria - Book I, 95 ACE)

Where evil habits are once settled, they are more easily broken than mended.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria - Book I, 95 ACE)

They condemn what they do not understand.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria, 95 ACE)

Those who wish to appear wise among fools, among the wise seem foolish.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria - Book X, 95 ACE)

Everything that has a beginning comes to an end.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria - Book V, 95 ACE)

For it would have been better that man should have been born dumb, nay, void of all reason, rather than that he should employ the gifts of Providence to the destruction of his neighbor.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria - Book XII, 95 ACE)

A liar should have a good memory.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria - Book II, 95 ACE)

We should not write so that it is possible for the reader to understand us, but so that it is impossible for him to misunderstand us.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria - Book VIII, 95 ACE)

It is feeling and force of imagination that makes us eloquent.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria - Book X, 95 ACE)

When defeat is inevitable, it is wisest to yield.
Variant: When we cannot hope to win, it is an advantage to yield.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria, 95 ACE)

The gifts of nature are infinite in their variety, and mind differs from mind almost as much as body from body.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria, 95 ACE)

By searching into every particular, we sometimes discover truth where we least expected to find it. 
Variant: By looking for everything, we sometimesarrive at the truth where we least expected to find it.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria, 95 ACE)

In almost everything, experience is more valuable than precept.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria - Book II, 95 ACE)

As regards parents, I should like to see them as highly educated as possible, and I do not restrict this remark to fathers alone.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria, 95 ACE)

Men, even when alone, lighten their labors by song, however rude it may be.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria - Book I, 95 ACE)

The pretended admission of a fault on our part creates an excellent impression.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria, 95 ACE)

Sow an act and you reap a habit. Sow a habit and you reap a character. Sow a character and you reap a destiny.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria - Book I, 95 ACE)

The prosperous can not easily form a right idea of misery.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria - Book IX, 95 ACE)

It is much easier to try one's hand at many things than to concentrate one's powers on one thing.

Quintilian (De Institutio Oratoria - Book I, 95 ACE)

Quintilian Biography

Born: 35
Died: 100

Marcus Fabius Quintilianus was a Roman rhetorician. His most notable work is undoubtedly "De Institutio Oratoria". He was also highly influential during the middle ages.

Notable Works

De Institutio Oratoria (95 ACE)