Phaedrus (Thrace of Macedonia)

Unless what we do is useful, our glory is vain.
[Lat., Nisi utile est quod facimus, stulta est gloria.]

Unless what we do is useful, our glory is vain.
[Lat., Nisi utile est quod facimus, stulta est gloria.]

Jupiter has placed upon us two wallets. Hanging behind each
person's back he has given one full of his read more

Jupiter has placed upon us two wallets. Hanging behind each
person's back he has given one full of his own faults; in front
he has hung a heavy one full of other people's.
[Lat., Peras imposuit Jupiter nobis duas.
Propriis repletam vitiis post tergum dedit;
Alienis ante pectus supendit gravem.]

A coward boasting of his courage may deceive strangers, but he is
a laughing-stock to those who know him.
read more

A coward boasting of his courage may deceive strangers, but he is
a laughing-stock to those who know him.
[Lat., Virtutis expers verbis jactans gloriam
Ignotos fallit, notis est derisui.]

Since you go where all have gone before, why do you torment your
your disgraceful life with such mean read more

Since you go where all have gone before, why do you torment your
your disgraceful life with such mean ambitions, O miser?
[Lat., Abiturus illuc priores abierunt,
Quid mente caeca torques spiritum?
Tibi dico, avare.]

Out of breath to no purpose, in doing much doing nothing. A race
(of busybodies) hurtful to itself and read more

Out of breath to no purpose, in doing much doing nothing. A race
(of busybodies) hurtful to itself and most hateful to all others.
[Lat., Gratis anhelans, multa agendo nihil agens.
Sibi molesta, et aliis odiosissima.]