Virgil Quotes
Each of us suffers his own spirit.
Variant: Each of us bears his own Hell.
O tyrant love, to what do you not drive the hearts of men.
Practice and thought might gradually forge many an art.
Endure the present, and watch for better things.
If I can not bend Heaven, I shall move Hell.
We each allow our own ghosts.
Time is flying, never to return.
Trust not too much to an enchanting face.
Believe in the one who knows from experience.
Variant: Trust one who has gone through it.
They can do all because they think they can.
Maybe one day we shall be glad to remember even these things.
Variant: Perhaps, one day, remembering even these things will bring pleasure.
The night surrounds us with its black shadow.
O accursed hunger of gold, to what dost thou not compel human hearts!
O heart of man, not knowing doom, nor of events to be! Nor, being lifted up, to keep thy bounds in prosperous days!
Love conquers all things,
Let us too surrender to love.
To each his day is given. Beyond recall man's little time runs by: but to prolong life's glory by great deeds is virtue's power.
There are tears shed for things even here and mortality touches the heart. Abandon your fears; I tell you, this fame will stand us somehow in good stead.
The spirit within nourishes, and mind instilled throughout the living parts activates the whole mass and mingles with the vast frame.
What each man does will shape his trial and fortune.
For Jupiter is king to all alike;
the fates will find their way.
If you go off to die, then take us, too,
to face all things with you; but if your past
still lets you put your hope in arms, which now
you have put on, then first protect this house.
Grow in your new courage, child; o son of gods
and ancestor of gods, this is the way
to scale the stars. All fated, future wars
shall end in peace...
There are two gates of Sleep, one said to be of horn, whereby the true shades pass with ease, the other all white ivory agleam without a flaw, and yet false dreams are sent through this one by the ghost to the upper world. Anchises now, his last instructions given, took son and Sibyl and let them go by the Ivory Gate.
It is easy to go down into Hell;
Night and day, the gates of dark Death stand wide;
But to climb back again, to retrace one's steps to the upper air -
There's the rub, the task
Variant: The gates of Hell are open night and day;
Smooth the descent, and easy is the way:
But, to return, and view the cheerful skies;
In this, the task and mighty labour lies.
Think it not loss of time a while to stay,
Tho' thy companions chide thy long delay;
Tho' summon'd to the seas, tho' pleasing gales
Invite thy course, and stretch thy swelling sails:
But beg the sacred priestess to relate
With willing words, and not to write thy fate...
She shall direct thy course, instruct thy mind,
And teach thee how the happy shores to find.
This is what Heav'n allows me to relate:
Now part in peace; pursue thy better fate.
