Virgil

Aeneid

Ancient influential 137 sayings

Sayings by Virgil

The descent to the underworld is easy.

19 BCE — From the Aeneid, Book VI
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The only safety for the vanquished is to hope for no safety.

19 BCE — From the Aeneid, Book II
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I sing of arms and the man.

19 BCE — Opening line of the Aeneid
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Fame, the evil, than which no other evil is swifter.

c. 19 BCE — Aeneid, Book 4, line 174
Humorous Unverifiable

The descent into Avernus is easy.

c. 19 BCE — Aeneid, Book 6, line 126
Humorous Unverifiable

Do not trust the horse, Trojans. Whatever it is, I fear the Greeks, even when they bring gifts.

c. 19 BCE — Aeneid, Book 2, lines 48-49
Humorous Unverifiable

Through various hazards, through so many crises of things, we tend to Latium, where the Fates show quiet seats.

c. 19 BCE — Aeneid, Book 1, lines 204-206
Humorous Unverifiable

The mind moves the mass.

c. 19 BCE — Aeneid, Book 6, line 727
Humorous Unverifiable

Work conquers all.

c. 29 BCE — Georgics, Book 1, line 145
Humorous Unverifiable

Every man's last day is fixed. Brief and irreparable is the time of life for all.

c. 19 BCE — Aeneid, Book 10, lines 467-468
Humorous Unverifiable

From a single crime, learn all.

c. 19 BCE — Aeneid, Book 2, line 65
Humorous Unverifiable

No day shall erase you from the memory of time.

c. 19 BCE — Aeneid, Book 9, line 447
Humorous Unverifiable

The gates of hell are open night and day; smooth the descent, and easy is the way.

c. 19 BCE — Aeneid, Book 6, lines 126-127 (Dryden translation)
Humorous Unverifiable

Be not afraid of the shadows, for they only mean there is a light shining somewhere near.

Uncertain — Ascribed, common proverb
Humorous Unverifiable

The best kind of glory is to be true to yourself.

Uncertain — Ascribed, common proverb
Humorous Unverifiable

Come what may, all bad fortune is to be conquered by endurance.

c. 19 BCE — Aeneid, Book 1, line 207
Humorous Unverifiable

The reward of an honest action is to have performed it.

Uncertain — Ascribed, common proverb
Humorous Unverifiable

Rumor, a winged monster.

c. 19 BCE — Aeneid, Book 4, line 180
Humorous Unverifiable

Ah, what a world of pains are hid in that one word, 'love'!

Uncertain — Ascribed, common proverb
Humorous Unverifiable

The course of fate is fixed, and cannot be revoked.

c. 19 BCE — Aeneid, Book 6, line 79
Humorous Unverifiable