Roman quotes

In our Roman quotes section, you will find a selection of inspiring Roman quotes organized by subject and by author. Roman quotes by famous Roman writers, philosophers, historians, politicians, emperors or generals, allow us to learn from the wisdom of the Romans, to better understand their culture and to find inspiration and new ideas.

Below are some our favorite Roman quotes:

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. Scipio Africanus (236 BC – 183 BC)

A man’s life is what his thoughts make of it. Marcus Aurelius (121 AD - 180 AD)

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others. Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC)

Nothing is so wretched or foolish as to anticipate misfortunes. What madness is it to be expecting evil before it comes. Lucius A. Seneca (5 BC-65 AD)

No one is free who does not lord over himself. Claudius (10 BC - 54 AD)

Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief. Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BCE)

Live as brave men; and if fortune is adverse, front its blows with brave hearts. Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC)

Find many more Roman quotes organized by subject (gratitude, happiness, courage, war, friendship, etc) by clicking on any of the words in the word cloud below or by author by clicking on any of the names of authors in the table further below.

We hope that you enjoy these quotes and that you find inspiration in them!

AuthorBirth - Death
Augustus63 BC–14 AD
Decimius Magnus Ausoniusc. 310 AD – c. 395 AD
Anicius Manlius Severinus Boëthius a.k.a. Boethius480 AD - 524 AD
Julius Caesar100 BC –44 BC
Marcus Tullius Cicero106 BC - 43 BC
Claudius10 BC - 54 AD
Gaius Sallustius Crispus86 BC – 34 BC
Aulus Gellius125 AD – 180 AD or later
Quintus Horatius Flaccus a.k.a. Horace65 BC – 8 BC
Titus Flavius Josephus37 AD – c. 100 AD
Decimus Iūnius Iuvenālis a.k.a. Juvenal1st century - 2nd century AD
Titus Livius a.k.a. Livy64 or 59 BC – AD 17
Marcus Annaeus Lucanus a.k.a Lucan39 AD – 65 AD
Titus Lucretius Carusc. 99 BC – c. 55 BC
Marcus Aurelius121 AD -180 AD
Publius Vergilius Maro70 BC – 19 BC
Cornelius Neposc. 110 BC – c. 25 BC
Pliny the Elder or Gaius Plinius Secundus23 AD – 79 AD
Plutarchc. 46—120 AD
Lucius A. Seneca5 BCE-65 CE
Scipio Africanus236–183 BC
Statius Caecilius a.k.a. Caecilius Statiusc. 220 BC – c. 166 BC
Tacitus56 AD -120 AD
Titus Maccius Plautus254 BC – 184 BC
Marcus Terentius Varro116 BC – 27 BC
Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus a.k.a. Vegetiusc. 4th century AD



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