Theophrastus
Considered the 'father of botany' for his detailed descriptions and classifications of plants in his works 'Enquiry into Plants' and 'On the Causes of Plants'.
Quotes by Theophrastus
The flatterer is a man who, when he sees you stumble, says, 'Ah, you are so graceful even in your falls!'
The boor is one who, when he is at a wedding, tells a story about a funeral.
The penurious man is one who, when he has a dog, feeds it only scraps.
The distrustful man is one who, when he is told that a friend has won a lottery, asks to see the ticket.
The officious man is one who, when he sees a friend about to make a mistake, rushes to tell him what to do.
The unseasonable man is one who, when he is at a party, tells a sad story.
The grumbler is one who, when he is given a compliment, says it is not sincere.
The boastful man is one who, when he has built a house, tells everyone that it is a palace.
The arrogant man is one who, when he is asked for his name, gives his full title and lineage.
The superstitious man is one who, when he sees a broken mirror, expects seven years of bad luck.
The rude man is one who, when he is offered food, refuses it without a word.
The complaisant man is one who, when he is asked to do a favor, says he cannot, and then does it anyway.
The talkative man is one who, when he is asked for the time, tells you the history of clocks.
The flatterer is a man who, when he sees you sneeze, says, 'Bless you, my dear sir, even your sneezes are melodious!'
The boor is one who, when he is at a funeral, laughs out loud.
The penurious man is one who, when he has a garden, plants only weeds.
The distrustful man is one who, when he is told that a friend has been promoted, asks for his salary slip.
The officious man is one who, when he sees a friend about to speak, interrupts him to tell him what to say.
The unseasonable man is one who, when he is at a wedding, tells a ghost story.
The grumbler is one who, when he is given a gift, complains that it is too small.