Virgil

Aeneid

Ancient influential 137 sayings

Sayings by Virgil

Love conquers all things; let us too surrender to Love.

37–30 BCE — From 'Eclogues' (Bucolics), a pastoral poem.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The descent to Hell is easy.

29–19 BCE — From 'Aeneid', Book VI, on the underworld.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I fear the Greeks, even when bearing gifts.

29–19 BCE — From 'Aeneid', Book II, referring to the Trojan Horse.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The snake lurks hidden in the grass.

37–30 BCE — From 'Eclogues', a warning about hidden dangers.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Happy is he who has been able to learn the causes of things.

29 BCE — From 'Georgics', praising philosophical inquiry.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

They can because they think they can.

29–19 BCE — From 'Aeneid', on the power of belief.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The only safety for the conquered is to expect no safety.

29–19 BCE — From 'Aeneid', a grim reflection on defeat.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Time flies irretrievably.

29 BCE — From 'Georgics', on the passage of time.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Every man is chained to his own fate.

29–19 BCE — From 'Aeneid', on destiny.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The gates of Hell are open night and day.

29–19 BCE — From 'Aeneid', Book VI, on the underworld.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Fortune favors the bold.

29–19 BCE — From 'Aeneid', Book X, a rallying cry.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The medicine increases the disease.

37–30 BCE — From 'Eclogues', on unintended consequences.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The world cares very little about what a man or woman knows; it is what a man or woman is able to do that counts.

29 BCE — From 'Georgics', on practical wisdom.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

They are able because they seem to be able.

29–19 BCE — From 'Aeneid', on perception and ability.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The worst evil of all is to leave the ranks of the living before one dies.

29–19 BCE — From 'Aeneid', on despair.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The only hope for the doomed is no hope at all.

29–19 BCE — From 'Aeneid', on fatalism.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The snake is in the grass, and the poison is under the flower.

37–30 BCE — From 'Eclogues', on hidden dangers.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The greatest wealth is health.

29 BCE — From 'Georgics', on the value of well-being.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The descent to the underworld is the same from every place.

29–19 BCE — From 'Aeneid', on death's universality.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The only salvation for the wretched is to have no hope of salvation.

29–19 BCE — From 'Aeneid', on despair.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable