Terence Quotes

“Nothing is so difficult but that it may be found out by seeking.”
Nil tam difficile est quin quaerendo investigari possit.

“Really, you have seen the old age of an eagle, as the saying is.”

“Lovers' quarrels are the renewal of love.”
Amantium irae amoris integratio est.

“This and a great deal more like it I have had to put up with.”

“It is the common vice of all, in old age, to be too intent upon our interests.”

“Jupiter, now assuredly is the time when I could readily consent to be slain, 4 lest life should sully this ecstasy with some disaster.”

“Time removes distress.”
Diem adimere aegritudinem hominibus.

“Many a time,… from a bad beginning great friendships have sprung up.”

“It behooves a prudent person to make trial of everything before arms.”

“Immortal gods! how much does one man excel another! What a difference there is between a wise person and a fool!”

“Extreme law is often extreme injustice.”
Ius summum saepe summa est malitia.

“Without Ceres (bread) and Bacchus (wine) Venus (love) freezes.”
Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus

“According as the man is, so must you humor him.”

“I did not care one straw.”

“Obsequiousness begets friends, truth hatred.”
Obsequium amicos, veritas odium parit.

“Do not they bring it to pass by knowing that they know nothing at all?”

“In fact, nothing is said that has not been said before.”
Nullumst iam dictum quod non dictum sit prius.

“As the saying is, I have got a wolf by the ears.”

“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.”

“It is up with you; all is over; you are ruined.”

“Draw from others the lesson that may profit yourself.”
Periclum ex aliis facito tibi quod ex usu siet.

“Of surpassing beauty and in the bloom of youth.”

“If I could believe that this was said sincerely, I could put up with anything.”

“I am human, I consider nothing human alien to me.”
Homo sum: humani nil a me alienum puto.

“Take care and say this with presence of mind.”

“How many things, both just and unjust, are sanctioned by custom!”

“There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when you do it reluctantly.”

“I have everything, yet have nothing; and although I possess nothing, still of nothing am I in want.”

“While there's life, there's hope.”
Modo liceat vivere, est spes.

“So many men, so many opinions: to each his own way.”
Quot homines tot sententiae: suus cuique mos.

“It is a maxim of old that among themselves all things are common to friends.”

“I only wish I may see your head stroked down with a slipper.”

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

“What now if the sky were to fall?”

“Moderation in all things.”
Ne quid nimis.

“I took to my heels as fast as I could.”

“Look you, I am the most concerned in my own interests.”

“That is a true proverb which is wont to be commonly quoted, that "all had rather it were well for themselves than for another."”

“Some might, but not you.”
Aliis si licet, tibi non licet.

“The very flower of youth.”

“Hence these tears.”
Hinc illae lacrimae.

“Nothing is easier to say.”
Nil est dictu facilius.