Consequently the student who is devoid of talent will derive no more profit from this work than barren soil from a treatise on agriculture.
QuintilianRead
A laugh, if purchased at the expense of propriety, costs too much.
Interpretation
Laughing at inappropriate moments undermines the value of laughter.
Quintilian suggests that while laughter is a joy, it should not come at the cost of decency or respectability. The true cost of laughter that disregards propriety can lead to greater societal or personal consequences, indicating that there is a right time and place for humor.
In practice
Using this quote in a speech about the importance of respectful communication.
Consequently the student who is devoid of talent will derive no more profit from this work than barren soil from a treatise on agriculture.
As regards parents, I should like to see them as highly educated as possible, and I do not restrict this remark to fathers alone.
Whilst we deliberate how to begin a thing, it grows too late to begin it.
A laugh costs too much when bought at the expense of virtue.
An evil-speaker differs from an evil-doer only in the want of opportunity.
It is the nurse that the child first hears, and her words that he will first attempt to imitate.
A guy comes down to earth, takes your sins, dies, and comes back three days later. You believe in him and go to heaven forever. How do you get from that to Hide-The-Eggs? Did Jesus have a problem with eggs? Did he go, "When I come back, if I see any eggs, the whole salvation thing is off."
Edgy is fine - I'm not a prude by any stretch of the imagination - but what's wrong with a good ol' belly laugh? I miss that.
I was number 1 on the who's likely to die list for 10 years...I was really disappointed when I fell off that list.
The Mad Hatter: "Would you like some wine?" Alice: "Yes..." The Mad Hatter: "We haven't any and you're too young.
If you wanted nothing done at all, Balfour was the man for the job.
No, my friend, I am not drunk. I have just been to the dentist, and need not return for another six months! Is it not the most beautiful thought? --Poirot
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.