Great Throughts Treasury

This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.

Austonius, fully Decimus Magnus Ausonius

Latin Poet and Rhetorician

"A favor tardily bestowed is no favor; for a favor quickly granted is a more agreeable favor."

"Begin; to begin is half the work. Let half still remain; at gain begin this, and thou wilt have finished."

"Earth produces nothing worse than an ungrateful man."

"Enjoy your possessions as mortal; see to them as though immortal."

"Forgive many things in others; nothing in yourself."

"If thou does aught good, do it quickly. For what is done quickly will be acceptable. Favors slowly granted are unfavorably received."

"When about to commit a base deed, respect thyself, though there is no witness."

"Let me not do unto any that which at the same time I would not have done to me."

"If fortune favors you do not be elated; if she frowns do not despond."

"The best memorial for a mighty man is to gain honor ere death."

"Nothing more detestable does the earth produce than an ungrateful man."

"If thou art terrible to many, then beware of many."

"It is tormenting to fear what you cannot overcome."

"A favor tardily bestowed is no favor; for a favor quickly granted is a more agreeable favor. "

"Begin whatever you have to do: the beginning of a work stands for the whole. "