John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
Page 899
| Publius Syrus. (42 B.C.) (continued) |
| 8672 |
| It takes a long time to bring excellence to maturity. |
| Maxim 780. |
| 8673 |
| The highest condition takes rise in the lowest. |
| Maxim 781. |
| 8674 |
| It matters not what you are thought to be, but what you are. |
| Maxim 785. |
| 8675 |
| No one knows what he can do till he tries. |
| Maxim 786. |
| 8676 |
| The next day is never so good as the day before. |
| Maxim 815. |
| 8677 |
| He is truly wise who gains wisdom from another’s mishap. |
| Maxim 825. |
| 8678 |
| Good health and good sense are two of life’s greatest blessings. |
| Maxim 827. |
| 8679 |
| It matters not how long you live, but how well. |
| Maxim 829. |
| 8680 |
| It is vain to look for a defence against lightning. 1 |
| Maxim 835. |
| 8681 |
| No good man ever grew rich all at once. 2 |
| Maxim 837. |
| 8682 |
| Everything is worth what its purchaser will pay for it. 3 |
| Maxim 847. |
| 8683 |
| It is better to learn late than never. 4 |
| Maxim 864. |
| 8684 |
| Better be ignorant of a matter than half know it. 5 |
| Maxim 865. |
| 8685 |
| Better use medicines at the outset than at the last moment. |
| Maxim 866. |
| 8686 |
| Prosperity makes friends, adversity tries them. |
| Maxim 872. |
| 8687 |
| Whom Fortune wishes to destroy she first makes mad. 6 |
| Maxim 911. |
| 8688 |
| Let a fool hold his tongue and he will pass for a sage. |
| Maxim 914. |
| 8689 |
| He knows not when to be silent who knows not when to speak. |
| Maxim 930. |
| Note 1. Syrus was not a contemporary of Franklin. [back] |
| Note 2. No just man ever became rich all at once.—Menander: Fragment. [back] |
| Note 3. See Butler, Quotation 46. [back] |
| Note 4. See Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Quotation 58. [back] |
| Note 5. See Bacon, Quotation 18. [back] |
| Note 6. See Dryden, Quotation 25. [back] |