We’re diving headlong into the wisdom of a bygone era Who’s our companion? Gaius Sallustius Crispus, better known as Sallust. A renowned thinker from circa 86-34 BC. In the heart of Rome. Historian, politician, not exactly a lightweight. Known for his works “”Jugurthine War””, “”Conspiracy of Catiline””. A considerable figure in the Roman literary scene.
What’s the Sallustian philosophy? A blend of ethics, ambition, impermanence, personal growth, community. A quintet of life themes. Sallust quotes incorporate friendship, ethics, human nature, leadership and life and fortune.
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Best, Most Popular and Famous Quotes by Sallust
“Before you act, consider; when you have considered, tis fully time to act.” ~ Sallust
“Necessity makes even the timid brave.” ~ Sallust
“The fame that goes with wealth and beauty is fleeting and fragile intellectual superiority is a possession glorious and eternal.” ~ Sallust
“Every man is the architect of his own fortune.” ~ Sallust
“They envy the distinction I have won; let them therefore, envy my toils, my honesty, and the methods by which I gained it.” ~ Sallust
Other illuminating quotes by Roman historians found on Wise Owl Quotes include quotes by Tacitus and Publilius Syrus, as well as Livy quotes and Boethius quotes.
Sallust Quotes on Life, Aging and Fortune
“The glory that goes with wealth is fleeting and fragile; virtue is a possession glorious and eternal.” ~ Sallust
“Distinguished ancestors shed a powerful light on their descendants, and forbid the concealment either of their merits or of their demerits.” ~ Sallust
“As the blessings of health and fortune have a beginning, so they must also find an end. Everything rises but to fall, and increases but to decay.” ~ Sallust
“Everything that rises sets, and everything that grows, grows old.” ~ Sallust
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Sallust Quotes on Friendship and Community
“Harmony makes small things grow, lack of it makes great things decay.” ~ Sallust
“By union the smallest states thrive. By discord the greatest are destroyed.” ~ Sallust
“Small communities grow great through harmony, great ones fall to pieces through discord.” ~ Sallust
“The firmest friendship is based on an identity of likes and dislikes.” ~ Sallust
“To like and dislike the same things, this is what makes a solid friendship.” ~ Sallust
Sallust Quotes on Ethics, Justice, and Morality
“No mortal man has ever served at the same time his passions and his best interests.” ~ Sallust
“All those who offer an opinion on any doubtful point should first clear their minds of every sentiment of dislike, friendship, anger or pity.” ~ Sallust
“It is better to use fair means and fail, than foul and conquer.” ~ Sallust
“In my opinion it is less shameful for a king to be overcome by force of arms than by bribery.” ~ Sallust
“All who consult on doubtful matters, should be void of hatred, friendship, anger, and pity.” ~ Sallust
“A good man would prefer to be defeated than to defeat injustice by evil means.” ~ Sallust
“Every bad precedent originated as a justifiable measure.” ~ Sallust
Sallust Quotes on Human Nature and Personal Growth
“In my opinion, he only may be truly said to live and enjoy his being who is engaged in some laudable pursuit, and acquires a name by some illustrious action, or useful art.” ~ Sallust
“Those most moved to tears by every word of a preacher are generally weak and a rascal when the feelings evaporate.” ~ Sallust
“He that will be angry for anything will be angry for nothing.” ~ Sallust
“Think like a man of action, and act like a man of thought.” ~ Sallust
“In my own case, who have spent my whole life in the practice of virtue, right conduct from habitual has become natural.” ~ Sallust
“No man underestimates the wrongs he suffers; many take them more seriously than is right.” ~ Sallust
“He only seems to me to live, and to make proper use of life, who sets himself some serious work to do, and seeks the credit of a task well and skillfully performed.” ~ Sallust
“Do as much as possible, and talk of yourself as little as possible.” ~ Sallust
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Sallust Quotes on Power, Ambition, and Leadership
“Just to stir things up seemed a great reward in itself.” ~ Sallust
“The higher your station, the less your liberty.” ~ Sallust
“Ambition drove many men to become false; to have one thought locked in the breast, another ready on the tongue.” ~ Sallust
“In battle it is the cowards who run the most risk; bravery is a rampart of defense.” ~ Sallust
“Few men desire liberty; most men wish only for a just master.” ~ Sallust
“Kings are more prone to mistrust the good than the bad; and they are always afraid of the virtues of others.” ~ Sallust
“Most honorable are services rendered to the State; even if they do not go beyond words, they are not to be despised.” ~ Sallust
“It is a law of human nature that in victory even the coward may boast of his prowess, while defeat injures the reputation even of the brave.” ~ Sallust
“We employ the mind to rule, the body to serve.” ~ Sallust
“Ambition breaks the ties of blood, and forgets the obligations of gratitude.” ~ Sallust
“Neither soldiers nor money can defend a king but only friends won by good deeds, merit, and honesty.” ~ Sallust
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What are the Sallust Quotes All About?
The Sallust’s compendium of quotes, they’re like a tour of the human condition. Five pit stops: Ethics and Justice; Ambition and Leadership; Impermanence; Personal Growth; Community. Picture it like this: a grand odyssey exploring ambition’s pitfalls (“”Ambition drove…””), life’s fleeting moments (“”Everything that rises…””), personal mastery (“”Every man is…””), community’s strength (“”By union…””). The quotes – a 360-degree view of being human.
What Can We Learn From These Quotes?
The lessons? Plenty. Picture Sallust as this life coach. Talks about power dynamics, ethics, human nature. Wants us to ponder: How are we deciding? Fair or foul? (“”It is better…””). Are we balanced emotionally? (“”He that will…””). Reminds us about life’s ephemeral nature. Urges us to be action-thinkers (“”Think like…””). Words to ponder, words to live by.
How Can We Apply This Wisdom In Our Own Lives?
Translating Sallust’s wisdom to everyday life, it’s about self-reflecting. Seeing our actions through the prism of his teachings. Ethics? Check. Ambition and leadership? Review. Appreciating the here and now? Yep. The Sallustian wisdom – a lighthouse, illuminating our path towards a more thoughtful existence. There it is.
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