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.
  • Variant translation: Hence all those tears shed.

• Amantium irae amoris integratio est.
  • Lovers' quarrels are the renewal of love.
    • Line 555.
  • Variant translation: Lovers’ rows make love whole again.

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.
  • I am a man, I regard nothing that is human alien to me.
  • I am a man, I count nothing human foreign 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

• Nullumst iam dictum quod non dictum sit prius.
• In fact, nothing is said that has not been said before.
  • Prologue, Line 41.
  • Variant translation: Nothing has yet been said that’s not been said before.

• It is up with you; all is over; you are ruined.
  • Act I, scene 1, 9, line 54.

• If I could believe that this was said sincerely, I could put up with anything.
  • Act I, scene 2, 96, line 176.

• Immortal gods! how much does one man excel another! What a difference there is between a wise person and a fool!
  • Act II, scene 2, 1, line 232.

• I have everything, yet have nothing; and although I possess nothing, still of nothing am I in want.
  • Act II, scene 2, 12, line 243.

• There are vicissitudes in all things.
  • Act II, scene 2, 45, line 276.

• The very flower of youth.
  • Act II, scene 3, 28, line 319.

• I did not care one straw.
  • Act III, scene 1, 21, line 411.

• Jupiter, now assuredly is the time when I could readily consent to be slain, 4 lest life should sully this ecstasy with some disaster.
  • Act III, scene 5, 2, line 550.

• Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus
  • Without Ceres (bread) and Bacchus (wine) Venus (love) freezes.
  • Act IV, scene 1, 1, line 5.

• This and a great deal more like it I have had to put up with.
  • Act IV, scene 6, 8, line 746.

• Take care and say this with presence of mind.
  • Act IV, scene 6, 31, line 769.

• It behooves a prudent person to make trial of everything before arms.
  • Act IV, scene 7, 19, 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.
  • Act IV, scene 7, 42, line 812.

• I took to my heels as fast as I could.
  • Act V, scene 2, 5, line 844.

• Many a time,… from a bad beginning great friendships have sprung up.
  • Act V, scene 2, 34, line 873.

• I only wish I may see your head stroked down with a slipper.
  • Act V, scene 7, 4, line 1028.

Phormio

• Fortis fortuna adiuvat.
  • Fortune favours the brave.
  • Line 203.
  • Variant translation:
  • Fortune assists the brave.

• Nil est dictu facilius.
  • Nothing is easier to say.
  • Line 300.

• Quot homines tot sententiae: suo' quoique mos.
  • So many men, so many opinions: to each his own way.
  • Line 454
  • Variant translations:
  • There are as many opinions as there are people: each has his own view.
  • There are as many opinions as there are people: each has his own correct way.
  • 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