Virgil quotes
Virgil (70 BC–19 BC): Roman poet. The library holds 228 quotes by Virgil, drawn from Of Italy, Of Polyphemus, Of Rumour and other works. The 60 below are the most quoted; search the library in the maker for the rest.
Often about: life, faith, time, nature, war, grief
The best-known Virgil quotes
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The present moment is not one to indulge in spectacles of this kind.
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And the shadows lengthen as they fall from the lofty mountains.
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Such is the love of praise, so great the anxiety for victory.
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It will delight us to recall these things some day hereafter.
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The city, Meliboeus, which they call Rome, I foolishly imagined to be like this town of ours.
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The times require other aid and other defenders than those you bring.
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I too must attempt a way by which I may raise myself above the ground, and soar triumphant through the lips of men.
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We leave the confines of our native country and our delightful plains.
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In vain as he tugs at the reins is the charioteer borne along by the steeds, and the chariot heeds not the curb.
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Yield not to misfortunes, but rather go more boldly to meet them.
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Here (in Italy) is ceaseless spring, and summer in months in which summer is alien.
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The only safety for the conquered is to hope for no safety.
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They (the bees) drive from their hives the drones, a lazy pack.
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I madly take to arms; but have not wit enough to use them to any purpose.
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Whatever may be the issue, we have both one common peril and one safety.
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And what each man dreaded for himself, they bore lightly when diverted to the destruction of one poor wretch.
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Whatever it is, I fear the Greeks even when they bring gifts with them.
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Everywhere is heart-rending wail, everywhere consternation, and death in a thousand shapes.
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An ancient land, powerful in arms and in the fertility of its soil.
Of Italy -
These passions of soul, these conflicts so fierce, will cease, and be repressed by the casting of a little dust.
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Now the Virgin goddess of justice returns; now the reign of Saturn and age of gold returns.
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Close up the sluices now, lads; the meadows have drunk enough.
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Unhappy scenes which I myself witnessed, and in which I acted a principal part.
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Many a thing has time and the varying sway of changeful years altered for the better.
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Some disturb unknown seas with oars, some rush upon the sword; some push their way into courts and the portals of kings.
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Thus all things are doomed to change for the worse and retrograde.
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Liberty, which, though late, regarded me in my helpless state.
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Happy he who has succeeded in learning the causes of things.
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Oh, how happy the tillers of the ground are, if they but knew their blessings; for whom, far from the clash of arms, the all-righteous earth pours forth from her soil an easy sustenance.
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I was astounded; my hair stood on end, and my voice stuck fast in my throat.
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Learn, my son, valour and patient toil from me, good fortune from others.
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My modesty does not permit me to essay a thing which my powers are not equal to accomplish.
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Let all attend, and expect the rewards due to well-earned laurels.
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Black night sits brooding on the deep; the heavens thunder, and the ether gleams with incessant flashes.
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Not unfamiliar with misfortune myself, I have learned to succour the wretched.
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Not if I had a hundred tongues, a hundred mouths, and a voice of iron, could I retail all the types of wickedness, and run over all the names of penal woe.
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Now, Aeneas, you have need of courage, now a resolute heart.
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Tears are due to misfortune, and mortal woes touch the heart.
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Enter upon the way of training while the spirits in youth are still pliant, while they are at that period when the mind is docile.
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They rush into the flames of passion; love is the same in all.
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The fatal gift to Minerva, i.e., the wooden horse, by means of which the Greeks took Troy.
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Whatever may happen, every kind of fortune is to be overcome by bearing it.
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They lay aside their rustic ideas, and by repeated instruction will advance apace into whatever arts you may initiate them.
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Alas! it is not permitted to any one to feel confident when the gods are adverse.
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These are encouraged by success; they prevail because they think they can.
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Who inquires in an enemy whether it be stratagem or valour?
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These offerings at least I would bestow upon him, and discharge a duty though it no longer avails.
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Go on in new deeds of valour, my son! That is the way to the stars.
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What would the masters do, when their knaves dare such things?
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Man knows not the lot appointed him, and he cannot keep within bounds when elated by prosperity.
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Do not yield to misfortunes, but advance more boldly to meet them, as your fortune shall permit you.
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Persevering labour overcomes all difficulties, and want that urges us on in the pressure of things.
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The race continues immortal, and through many years the fortune of the house stands steadfast, and it numbers grandsires of grandsires.
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Even virtue appears more lovely when enshrined in a beautiful form.
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Forthwith, against the omens and against the oracles of the gods, all to a man, under an adverse influence, clamour for unholy war.
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Do you think that ashes and buried spirits of the departed care for such things?
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They (the Cyclops), keeping time, one by one raise their arms with mighty force, and turn the iron lump with the biting tongs.
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His tears, that so well become him, and a merit still more pleasing that shows itself in his fair form.
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The love of our country outweighs all other considerations.
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Cease to hope that the decrees of the gods can bend to prayer.
Where these quotes come from
- Of Italy (1 quote)
- Of Polyphemus (1 quote)
- Of Rumour (1 quote)
- Of the husbandman (1 quote)
- Of Juno’s vengeance (1 quote)
- Of Fame (1 quote)
Every quote comes from a public-domain edition. How the library was made .