QuoteProject
The number of guests at dinner should not be less than the number of the Graces nor exceed that of the Muses, i.e., it should begin with three and stop at nine.
Marcus Terentius Varro
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote suggests a balance in social gatherings, emphasizing moderation in the number of guests.

Marcus Terentius Varro's quote reflects the idea that a dinner gathering should be thoughtfully curated. It advises that the number of guests should align with the classical ideals represented by the Graces and the Muses, advocating for a range between three and nine attendees. This recommendation implies that social interactions benefit from both intimacy and a diverse but manageable group, which enhances the overall experience.

Themes

DinnerGuestsBalanceSocialGathering

In practice

Example use cases

Using this quote to explain the ideal size for a dinner party during a planning meeting.

More from Marcus Terentius Varro

Divine Nature gave the fields, human art built the cities.
Marcus Terentius VarroRead
Nature made the fields and man the cities.
Marcus Terentius VarroRead

Similar quotes

We must challenge this statement and this sentiment that the news media is the enemy of the American people. This sentiment may be the greatest threat to democracy in my lifetime.
William H. McravenRead
Another belief of mine; that everyone else my age is an adult, whereas I am merely in disguise.
Margaret AtwoodRead
If there is meaning in life at all, then there must be a meaning in suffering. Suffering is an ineradicable part of life, even as fate and death. Without suffering and death human life cannot be complete.
Viktor E. FranklRead
To the extent that the judicial profession becomes the daily routine of deciding cases on the most secure precedents and the narrowest grounds available, the judicial mind atrophies and its perspective shrinks.
Irving KaufmanRead
History is hard to know, because of all the hired bullshit, but even without being sure of "history" it seems entirely reasonable to think that every now and then the energy of a whole generation comes to a head in a long fine flash, for reasons that nobody understands at the time--and which never explain, in retrospect, what actually happened.
Hunter S. ThompsonRead
Ask the dust on the road! Ask the Joshua trees standing alone where the Mojave begins. Ask them about Camilla Lopez, and they will whisper her name.
John FanteRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.