Quotes from work
Captivi

Plautus Original title Captivi (Latin)

Captivi is a Latin play by the early Roman playwright Titus Maccius Plautus. The title has been translated as The Captives or The Prisoners, and the plot concerns slavery and prisoners of war. Although the play contains much broad humor, it is a relatively serious treatment of significant themes compared to most of Plautus’ other comedies. Plautus himself points out the difference in tone between this play and his other works in Captivi’s prologue.

“Nor do I hold that every kind of gain is always serviceable. Gain, I know, has render’d many great. But there are times when loss should be preferr’d to gain. (translator Thornton)”
Non ego omnino lucrum omne esse utile homini existimo. Scio ego, multos jam lucrum luculentos homines reddidit. Est etiam, ubi profecto damnum praestet facere, quam lucrum.

Plautus Captivi

Captivi, Act II, scene 2, line 75.
Variant translation: There are occasions when it is undoubtedly better to incur loss than to make gain. (translation by Henry Thomas Riley)
Captivi (The Prisoners)

“Our best support and succor in distress is fortitude of mind.”
In re mala animo si bono utare, adjuvat.

Plautus Captivi

Captivi, Act II, scene 1, line 8
Variant translation: The best assistance in distress is fortitude of soul. (translator unknown)
Captivi (The Prisoners)

“In re mala animo si bono utare, adjuvat.”

Plautus Captivi

Our best support and succor in distress is fortitude of mind. (translator Thornton)
Captivi, Act II, scene 1, line 8
Variant translation: The best assistance in distress is fortitude of soul. (translator unknown)
Captivi (The Prisoners)