Pliny the Elder

Natural History Roman 23 – 79 102 quotes

Author of Naturalis Historia, a comprehensive encyclopedia compiling knowledge of the natural world and famously stating that nature is the greatest of all things.

Quotes by Pliny the Elder

In the whole world, there is nothing that is not subject to change.

Natural History, Book II, Chapter 7 77

Nature is nowhere more at work than in the smallest things.

Natural History, Book XI, Chapter 2 77

The only certainty is that nothing is certain.

Natural History, Book II, Chapter 5 77

True glory consists in doing what deserves to be written, in writing what deserves to be read, and in so living as to make the world happier and better for our living in it.

Natural History, Preface 77

The greatest remedy for anger is delay.

Natural History, Book XXVIII, Chapter 2 77

From the earth, we come, and to the earth, we return.

Natural History, Book II, Chapter 63 77

There is no book so bad but some good may be got out of it.

Natural History, Preface 77

Art is nothing more than a method of doing things, and the highest art is that which is most natural.

Natural History, Book XXXV, Chapter 36 77

The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance.

Natural History, Book VII, Chapter 1 77

Nature has placed in our hands the means of our own destruction.

Natural History, Book II, Chapter 63 77

The human race lives by art and reason.

Natural History, Book VII, Chapter 1 77

It is a great thing to know how to hold one's tongue.

Natural History, Book XXVIII, Chapter 2 77

The sun is the soul of the world.

Natural History, Book II, Chapter 4 77

The sea is the source of all things.

Natural History, Book II, Chapter 66 77

There is no new thing under the sun.

Natural History, Book II, Chapter 7 77

The most beautiful things are those that are most useful.

Natural History, Book XXXVI, Chapter 2 77

Nature is the best physician.

Natural History, Book XXVI, Chapter 1 77

The earth is a living creature.

Natural History, Book II, Chapter 63 77

The greatest part of our misfortunes are imaginary.

Natural History, Book XXVIII, Chapter 2 77

The human mind is the most powerful thing in the world.

Natural History, Book VII, Chapter 1 77