Only a stomach that rarely feels hungry scorns common things.
HoraceRead
Who then is free? The wise man who can govern himself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True freedom is achieved through self-control and wisdom.
This quote suggests that true freedom is not found in external circumstances, but rather in the ability to govern and control one's own mind and actions. A wise person understands this principle and practices self-discipline, thereby becoming free from the constraints of impulsive desires and external influences.
Themes
FreedomWisdomSelf-ControlSelf-GovernanceDiscipline
In practice
Example use cases
During a seminar on personal development, one could use this quote to highlight the importance of self-discipline.
More from Horace
All quotes βNow is the time for drinking; now the time to beat the earth with unfettered foot.
HoraceRead
Carpe diem! Rejoice while you are alive; enjoy the day; live life to the fullest; make the most of what you have. It is later than you think.
HoraceRead
It is of no consequence of what parents a man is born, as long as he be a man of merit.
HoraceRead
It is not the rich man you should properly call happy, _x000D_ but him who knows how to use with wisdom the blessings of the gods, _x000D_ to endure hard poverty, and who fears dishonor worse than death, _x000D_ and is not afraid to die for cherished friends or fatherland.
HoraceRead
Few cross the river of time and are able to reach non-being. Most of them run up and down only on this side of the river. But those who when they know the law follow the path of the law, they shall reach the other shore and go beyond the realm of death.
HoraceRead
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Nothing is more incumbent on the old than to know when they should get out of the way and relinquish to younger successors the honors they can no longer earn, and the duties they can no longer perform.
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Without willing it, I had gone from being ignorant of being ignorant to being aware of being aware. And the worst part of my awareness was that I didn't know what I was aware of. I knew I knew very little, but I was certain that the things I had yet to learn wouldn't be taught to me at George Washington High School.
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He who is faultless does not care for the opinion of others.
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