John Bartlett (18201905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919. |
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Pliny the Younger. (61105 A.D.) |
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1 | Modestus said of Regulus that he was the biggest rascal that walks upon two legs. |
Letters. Book i. Letter v. 14. 1 |
2 | There is nothing to write about, you say. Well, then, write and let me know just this,that there is nothing to write about; or tell me in the good old style if you are well. That s right. I am quite well. 2 |
Letters. Book i. Letter xi. 1. |
3 | Never do a thing concerning the rectitude of which you are in doubt. |
Letters. Book i. Letter xviii. 5. |
4 | The living voice is that which sways the soul. |
Letters. Book ii. Letter iii. 9. |
5 | An object in possession seldom retains the same charm that it had in pursuit. 3 |
Letters. Book ii. Letter xv. 1. |
6 | He [Pliny the Elder] used to say that no book was so bad but some good might be got out of it. 4 |
Letters. Book iii. Letter v. 10. |
7 | This expression of ours, Father of a family. |
Letters. Book v. Letter xix. 2. |
8 | That indolent but agreeable condition of doing nothing. 5 |
Letters. Book viii. Letter ix. 3. |
9 | Objects which are usually the motives of our travels by land and by sea are often overlooked and neglected if they lie under our eye
. We put off from time to time going and seeing what we know we have an opportunity of seeing when we please. |
Letters. Book viii. Letter xx. 1. |
10 | His only fault is that he has no fault. 6 |
Letters. Book ix. Letter xxvi. 1. |
| Note 1. Book vi. Letter xvi. contains the description of the eruption of Vesuvius, A. D. 79, as witnessed by Pliny the Elder. [back] | Note 2. This comes to inform you that I am in a perfect state of health, hoping you are in the same. Ay, that s the old beginning.Colman: The Heir at Law, act iii. sc. 2. [back] | Note 3. See Goldsmith, Quotation 95. [back] | Note 4. There is no book so bad, said the bachelor, but something good may be found in it.Cervantes: Don Quixote, part ii. chap. iii. [back] | Note 5. Il dolce far niente (The sweet do nothing).A well known Italian proverb. [back] | Note 6. See Carlyle, Quotation 20. [back] |
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