Only a stomach that rarely feels hungry scorns common things.
HoraceRead
Whoever cultivates the golden mean avoids both the poverty of a hovel and the envy of a palace.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the value of moderation in life, suggesting that a balanced approach leads to contentment and avoids extremes.
Horace's quote illustrates the principle of the 'golden mean', which advocates for moderation between extremes. It suggests that those who find a balance between wealth and poverty will avoid the dissatisfaction that comes from wealth envy or the struggles of impoverished living. Essentially, it promotes the idea that a moderate lifestyle is key to achieving peace and happiness in life.
Themes
ModerationBalanceContentmentExtremesHappiness
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about achieving personal happiness through moderation.
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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