61 Wisest Marcus Porcius Cato Quotes (THE ELDER)

Top 10 Most Famous Marcus Porcius Cato Quotes (BEST)

“It is remarkable that men, when they differ in what they think considerable, are apt to differ in almost everything else. Their difference begets contradiction; contradiction begets heat; heat rises into resentment, rage, and ill-will.—Thus they differ in affection, as they differ in judgment, and the contention which began in pride, ends in anger.”
Marcus Porcius Cato

Those who are serious in ridiculous matters will be ridiculous in serious matters.

I would much rather have men ask why I have no statue, than why I have one.

Wise men profit more by fools than fools by wise men.

If you are ruled by mind you are a king; if by body, a slave.

All mankind rules its women, and we rule all mankind, but our women rule us.

It is a hard matter, my fellow citizens, to argue with the belly, since it has no ears.

Cessation of work is not accompanied by cessation of expenses.

15 Thought-Provoking Marcus Porcius Cato Quotes

We cannot control the evil tongues of others but a good life enables us to disregard them. — We cannot control the evil tongues of others but a good **life** enables us to disregard them.

Thieves of private property pass their lives in chains; thieves of public property in riches and luxury. — Thieves of private property pass their lives in chains; thieves of public property in riches and **luxury**.

It is thus with farming, if you do one thing late, you will be late in all your work.

Those who are eager to hold high office frequently, are like men who did not know the road, they sought to be ever attended on their way by lictors, lest they go astray.

The worst ruler is one who cannot rule himself.

The hero saves us. Praise the hero! Now, who will save us from the hero?

He who fears death has already lost the life he covets. — He who **fears** death has already lost the life he covets.

I can pardon everybody's mistakes except my own. — I can pardon everybody’s mistakes except my own.

Patience is the greatest of all virtues. — **Patience** is the greatest of all virtues.

Speech is the gift of all, but the thought of few. — Speech is the **gift** of all, but the thought of few.

The best way to keep good acts in memory is to refresh them with new.

Flee sloth, for the indolence of the soul is the decay of the body.

Be firm or mild as the occasion may require.

Even though work stops, expenses run on.

9 Wise Marcus Porcius Cato Quotes

Tis sometimes the height of wisdom to feign stupidity. — Tis sometimes the height of **wisdom** to feign stupidity.

It is a hard matter to save a city in which a fish sells for more than an ox.

Grasp the subject; the words will follow.

I think the first virtue is to restrain the tongue; he approaches nearest to gods who knows how to be silent, even though he is in the right.

This man’s mother holds the wish that he may survive her to be no pious prayer, but a malignant curse. — This man’s **mother** holds the wish that he may survive her to be no pious **prayer**, but a malignant curse.

This man has drunk down with ease what the sea found it hard to wash away.

Surely, he is an excellent man, and a friend of Rome. Granted, but the animal known as king is by nature carnivorous. — Surely, he is an **excellent** man, and a **friend** of Rome. Granted, but the animal known as king is by **nature** carnivorous.

Romans were sending out an embassy which had neither feet, nor head, nor heart.

Good-breeding is the art of showing men, by external signs, the internal regard we have for them. It arises from good sense, improved by conversing with good company.

4 Marcus Porcius Cato Quotes on Money and Commerce

“The pursuits of commerce would be as admirable as they are profitable if they were not subject to so great risks: and so, likewise, of banking, if it was always honestly conducted. For our ancestors considered, and so ordained in their laws, that, while the thief should be cast in double damages, the usurer should make four-fold restitution.”
Marcus Porcius Cato

Buy not what you want, but what you have need of; what you do not want is dear at a farthing.

“When you have decided to purchase a farm, be careful not to buy rashly; do not spare your visits and be not content with a single tour of inspection. The more you go, the more will the place please you, if it be worth your attention. Give heed to the appearance of the neighborhood, – a flourishing country should show its prosperity. “When you go in, look about, so that, when needs be, you can find your way out”.”
Marcus Porcius Cato

“The accounts of money, supplies and provisions should then be considered. The overseer should report what wine and oil has been sold, what price he got, what is on hand, and what remains for sale. Security should be taken for such accounts as ought to be secured. All other unsettled matters should be agreed upon. If any thing is needed for the coming year, it should be bought; every thing which is not needed should be sold. Whatever there is for lease should be leased.”
Marcus Porcius Cato

3 Marcus Porcius Cato Quotes on Overseer

“When you have arrived at your country house and have saluted your household, you should make the rounds of the farm the same day, if possible; if not, then certainly the next day. When you have observed how the field work has progressed, what things have been done, and what remains undone, you should summon your overseer the next day, and should call for a report of what work has been done in good season and why it has not been possible to complete the rest, and what wine and corn and other crops have been gathered.”
Marcus Porcius Cato

“These are the duties of the overseer: He should maintain discipline. He should observe the feast days. He should respect the rights of others and steadfastly uphold his own. He should settle all quarrels among the hands; If any one is at fault he should administer the punishment. He should take care that no one on the place is in want, or lacks food or drink; in this respect he can afford to be generous, for he will thus more easily prevent picking and stealing.”
Marcus Porcius Cato

“The overseer should be responsible for the duties of the housekeeper. If the master has given her to you for a wife, you should be satisfied with her, and she should respect you. Require that she be not given to wasteful habits; that she does not gossip with the neighbors and other women. She should not receive visitors either in the kitchen or in her own quarters. She should not go out to parties, nor should she gad about.”
Marcus Porcius Cato

2 Marcus Porcius Cato Quotes on Anger

Anger so clouds the mind that it cannot perceive the truth. — Anger so clouds the mind that it cannot perceive the **truth**.

An angry man opens his mouth and shuts his eyes.

2 Marcus Porcius Cato Quotes on Punishment

I prefer to do right and get no thanks than to do wrong and receive no punishment.

The public has more interest in the punishment of an injury than he who receives it.

2 Marcus Porcius Cato Quotes on Enemies

My enemies hated me, because I rose every day before it was light and, neglecting my own private matters, devoted my time to the public interests. — My enemies hated me, because I rose every day before it was light and, neglecting my own private matters, devoted my **time** to the public interests.

Some men are more beholden to their bitterest enemies than to friends who appear to be sweetness itself. The former frequently tell the truth, but the latter never.

2 Marcus Porcius Cato Quotes on Old Age

“The greatest comfort of my old age, and that which gives me the highest satisfaction, is the pleasing remembrance of the many benefits and friendly offices I have done to others.”
Marcus Porcius Cato

Old age has deformities enough of its own. It should never add to them the deformity of vice.

2 Marcus Porcius Cato Quotes on Government

“Some have said that it is not the business of private men to meddle with government,—a bold and dishonest saying, which is fit to come from no mouth but that of a tyrant or a slave. To say that private men have nothing to do with government is to say that private men have nothing to do with their own happiness or misery; that people ought not to concern themselves whether they be naked or clothed, fed or starved, deceived or instructed, protected or destroyed.”
Marcus Porcius Cato

You will be thought, not to deem your offices worth much, or else not to deem many men worthy of your offices.

3 Marcus Porcius Cato Quotes on Women

“Woman is a violent and uncontrolled animal, and it is useless to let go the reins and then expect her not to kick over the traces. You must keep her on a tight rein. Women want total freedom or rather – to call things by their names – total license. If you allow them to achieve complete equality with men, do you think they will be easier to live with? Not at all. Once they have achieved equality, they will be your masters.”
Marcus Porcius Cato

Suffer women once to arrive at an equality with you, and they will from that moment become your superiors.

Beautiful woman is like a gilded pill – pleasing to the eyes, bitter to the lips. — **Beautiful** woman is like a gilded pill – pleasing to the eyes, bitter to the lips.

7 Marcus Porcius Cato Quotes That Will Make You Think

“It is a good plan to dip into their literature,1 it is not worth while to make a thorough acquaintance with it. They are a most iniquitous and intractable race shall bestow its literature upon Rome it will mar everything.”
Marcus Porcius Cato