Terence

I am human, I consider nothing human alien to me.

Publius Terentius Afer (195/185–159 BC), more commonly referred to as Terence, was a comic playwright of the Roman Republic. A berber born in Carthage, his comedies were first performed between 170 BC-160 BC.

Quotes

Nothing is so difficult but that it may be found out by seeking.

Andria (The Lady of Andros)

• Ne quid nimis.
  • Moderation in all things. (Not anything in excess)
    • Line 61

• Obsequium amicos, veritas odium parit.
  • Obsequiousness begets friends, truth hatred.
    • Line 68

• Hinc illae lacrimae.
  • Hence these tears.
    • Line 126

• Amantium irae amoris integratio est.
  • Lovers' quarrels are the renewal of love.
    • Line 555

Heauton Timorumenos (The Self-Tormentor)

• Homo sum: humani nil a me alienum puto.
  • I am human, I consider nothing human alien to me.
    • Line 77
  • Variant translations:
  • I am a human and consider nothing human alien to me.
  • I am human, I consider nothing human to be alien to me.
  • I am a man; I consider nothing human alien to me.

• Periclum ex aliis facito tibi quod ex usu siet.
  • Draw from others the lesson that may profit yourself.
    • Line 221

• Diem adimere aegritudinem hominibus.
  • Time removes distress.
    • Line 421
  • Variant translation: Time heals all wounds.

• Nil tam difficile est quin quaerendo investigari possiet.
  • Nothing is so difficult but that it may be found out by seeking.
    • Line 675

• Ius summum saepe summa est malitia.
  • Extreme law is often extreme injustice.
    • Line 796
  • Variant translations:
  • The highest law is often the greatest wrong.
  • Extreme justice is often extreme malice.

• There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when you do it reluctantly.
  • Line 805

• Modo liceat vivere, est spes.
  • While there's life, there's hope.
    • Line 981

Eunuchus

• In fact, nothing is said that has not been said before.
  • Prologue, Line 41

• He is wise who tries everything before arms.
  • Line 789

• I know the disposition of women: when you will, they won't; when you won't, they set their hearts upon you of their own inclination.
  • Line 812

• I took to my heels as fast as I could.
  • Line 844

• Many a time ... from a bad beginning great friendships have sprung up.
  • Line 873

• Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus
  • Without Ceres (bread) and Bacchus (wine) Venus (love) freezes.
  • Act IV, line 5.

Phormio

• Fortis fortuna adiuvat.
  • Fortune favours the brave.
  • Line 203

• Quot homines tot sententiae: suo quoique mos.
  • So many men, so many opinions: to each his own way.
  • Line 454
  • Variant translation:
  • There are as many opinions as there are people: everyone has their own way of doing things.

Adelphoe (The Brothers)

• I bid him look into the lives of men as though into a mirror, and from others to take an example for himself.
  • Line 415

• According as the man is, so must you humor him.
  • Line 431

• It is the common vice of all, in old age, to be too intent upon our interests.
  • Line 833

External links

• The six plays of Terence at The Latin Library
• Andria at The Perseus Digital Library
• Hecyra at The Perseus Digital Library
• Heautontimorumenos at The Perseus Digital Library
• The Eunuch at The Perseus Digital Library
• Phormio at The Perseus Digital Library
• The Brothers at The Perseus Digital Library
• 15th century scripts from Hecyra and Eunuchus, Center for Digital Initiatives, University of Vermont Libraries
• Terence's works
• The Life of Terence, part of Suetonius's De Viris Illustribus, Translated by J. C. Rolfe.
• Commentum Terenti by Aelius Donatus, at the Internet Archive; 1902 Teubner edition.
• SORGLL: Terence, Eunuch 232-264, read by Matthew Dillon
• Latin with Laughter: Terence through Time