Only a stomach that rarely feels hungry scorns common things.
HoraceRead
What do sad complaints avail if the offense is not cut down by punishment.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Complaining without taking action leads to no resolution.
Horace's quote highlights the futility of mere complaining when faced with wrongdoing. It suggests that without a corrective response or punishment to address the offense, such complaints are ineffective and serve no purpose. Complaining alone cannot rectify injustice; action is necessary to bring about change and resolution.
Themes
ComplaintsActionPunishmentJusticePhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about justice reform, this quote can be used to emphasize the need for active solutions rather than just voicing grievances.
More from Horace
All quotes βNow is the time for drinking; now the time to beat the earth with unfettered foot.
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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.
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It is of no consequence of what parents a man is born, as long as he be a man of merit.
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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.
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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.
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