Eunuchus is a comedy written by the 2nd century BCE Roman playwright Terence featuring a complex plot of familial misunderstanding. It was Terence's most successful play during his lifetime. Suetonius notes how the play was staged twice in a single day and won Terence 8,000 sesterces.. The play is a loose translation of one written by Menander in Greek.
“Without Ceres (bread) and Bacchus (wine) Venus (love) freezes.”
Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus
Act IV, scene 1, 1, line 5.
Eunuchus
“In fact, nothing is said that has not been said before.”
Nullumst iam dictum quod non dictum sit prius.
Nullum est iam dictum quod non dictum sit prius.
Prologue, Line 41.
Variant translation: Nothing has yet been said that’s not been said before.
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Act IV, scene 7, 42, line 812.
Eunuchus
“It behooves a prudent person to make trial of everything before arms.”
Act IV, scene 7, 19, line 789.
Eunuchus
“If I could believe that this was said sincerely, I could put up with anything.”
Act I, scene 2, 96, line 176.
Eunuchus
Original: (la) si istuc crederem/sincere dici, quidvis possem perpeti.
Act III, scene 5, 2, line 550.
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Act II, scene 2, 12, line 243.
Eunuchus
“This and a great deal more like it I have had to put up with.”
Act IV, scene 6, 8, line 746.
Eunuchus
“I only wish I may see your head stroked down with a slipper.”
Act V, scene 7, 4, line 1028.
Eunuchus
Act II, scene 2, 1, line 232.
Eunuchus
“Many a time,… from a bad beginning great friendships have sprung up.”
Act V, scene 2, 34, line 873.
Eunuchus
