Publilius Syrus

29 lines on file

Painterly two joined puzzle pieces, one amber and one grey, resting on pale cloth. — Original artwork

A friendship that can end never really began.

Publilius Syrus

A red heart-shaped token beside two cream dice on a golden background. — Original artwork

A god could hardly love and be wise.

Publilius Syrus

A small wooden ship's wheel standing in a tray of green rippled water with a small wave curling by it. — Original artwork

Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.

Publilius Syrus

Painterly open brass compass on moss beside a muddy bootprint. — Original artwork

A rolling stone gathers no moss.

Publilius Syrus

Two brass weights balance on a wooden beam, with a small paper crown perched on one. — Original artwork

As men, we are all equal in the presence of death.

Publilius Syrus

A miniature wooden staircase with a railing stands on a plain blue-grey tabletop. — Original artwork

Every one excels in something in which another fails.

Publilius Syrus

Two tin cans linked by a badly frayed string on a dark olive background. — Original artwork

Familiarity breeds contempt.

Publilius Syrus

Glass snowball containing coin-shaped silver discs, set on a base amid an icy puddle and loose shards — Original artwork

Fortune is like glass,--the brighter the glitter, the more easily broken.

Publilius Syrus

Two sculpted hands on linen: one pale and empty, the other darkened and filled with gold coins. — Original artwork

God looks at the clean hands, not the full ones.

Publilius Syrus

Blank paper speech bubbles hang by fine threads from crossed wooden bars against a muted plum background. — Original artwork

I often regret that I have spoken; never that I have been silent.

Publilius Syrus

Painterly carved wooden hand holding a gold coin against an amber background. — Original artwork

It is more easy to get a favour from fortune than to keep it.

Publilius Syrus

A chipped floral teacup stands beside an intact matching cup on a shared saucer against a teal background. — Original artwork

Learn to see in another's calamity the ills which you should avoid.

Publilius Syrus

Painterly wilted potted plant surrounded by a spiral of stacked paper forms. — Original artwork

Many receive advice, few profit by it.

Publilius Syrus

A round hand mirror displaying a yellow sun shape, resting on a green velvet cushion. — Original artwork

No man is happy who does not think himself so.

Publilius Syrus

Painterly two toy soldiers on scorched ground, one standing and one fallen, beneath a smoky sky. — Original artwork

No tears are shed when an enemy dies.

Publilius Syrus

A gold crown sits on a wooden peg wrapped in dark chain links, with brass calipers behind it against green. — Original artwork

Powerful indeed is the empire of habit.

Publilius Syrus

An ornate hand mirror leans against a burgundy velvet cushion beside a pale quill feather. — Original artwork

Speech is a mirror of the soul: as a man speaks, so is he.

Publilius Syrus

A white thread stretched across small wooden pegs, bending where one peg is pulled out of line. — Original artwork

The bow too tensely strung is easily broken.

Publilius Syrus

Round spectacles rest on a mossy branch, reflecting a green meadow in one lens and a golden sunset in the other. — Original artwork

The eyes are not responsible when the mind does the seeing.

Publilius Syrus

Painterly wilted white flower tightly entwined by a green vine against dark green. — Original artwork

The fear of death is more to be dreaded than death itself.

Publilius Syrus

Painterly wooden gavel beside small brass balance scales on a dark mahogany surface. — Original artwork

The judge is condemned when the criminal is acquitted.

Publilius Syrus

A cracked teacup patched with a large blob of blue putty beside a tiny hammer on ochre cloth. — Original artwork

There are some remedies worse than the disease.

Publilius Syrus

A small paintbrush drawing a curling teal stroke that divides into two, on a warm white background. — Original artwork

To do two things at once is to do neither.

Publilius Syrus

A brass hand-shaped door knocker, partly bright and partly green with tarnish, rests on burgundy velvet. — Original artwork

Treat your friend as if he might become an enemy.

Publilius Syrus

Two ornate silver pedestal mirrors angled toward each other, with lavender floral imagery in their glass, on a pale lavender background. — Original artwork

We are interested in others when they are interested in us.

Publilius Syrus

Painterly tarnished medal on a frayed ribbon beside a fallen toy soldier. — Original artwork

What is left when honour is lost?

Publilius Syrus

A dagger balances upright on its point between two coins on a dark wooden surface. — Original artwork

When Fortune flatters, she does it to betray.

Publilius Syrus

Two mismatched floral porcelain cups sharing a shallow saucer — Original artwork

When two do the same thing, it is not the same thing after all.

Publilius Syrus

Painterly glowing horseshoe on a blacksmith anvil with a hammer resting beside it. — Original artwork

You should hammer your iron when it is glowing hot.

Publilius Syrus