Cato The Elder

Marcus Porcius Cato (234 BC - 149 BC), Roman statesman, surnamed "The Censor," Sapiens, Priscus, or Major (the Elder), to distinguish him from Cato the Younger (his great-grandson).

13 Quotes

Old age has deformities enough of its own. It should never add to them the deformity of vice.

Cato The Elder

An angry man opens his mouth and shuts his eyes.

Cato The Elder

If you are ruled by mind you are a king; if by body, a slave.

Cato The Elder

I would much rather have men ask why I have no statue than why I have one.

Cato The Elder

After I'm dead I'd rather have people ask why I have no monument than why I have one.

Cato The Elder

It is thus with farming, if you do one thing late, you will be late in all your work.

Cato The Elder

It is a difficult matter to argue with the belly since it has no ears.

Cato The Elder

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

Grasp the subject, the words will follow.

Cato The Elder

Speech is the gift of all, but the thought of few.

Cato The Elder

The best way to keep good acts in memory is to refresh them with new.

Cato The Elder

Wise men learn more from fools than fools from the wise.

Cato The Elder

Cessation of work is not accompanied by cessation of expenses.

Cato The Elder