Classical antiquity

Explore 1180 quotes from Classical antiquity

We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Isaiah

Isaiah 64:8

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Topic

God and man God and creation

Author

Isaiah

Source

Isaiah The Bible

Medium

Scripture

Genre

Religious literature

Language

Hebrew

Time

681 BC 680s BC 7th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 3

Citation

The Holy Bible, New International Version. International Bible Society, 1978. (Isaiah 64:8).

As to diseases make a habit of two things-to help, or at least, to do no harm.

Hippocrates

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Topic

Practicing medicine Sickness and illness

Author

Hippocrates

Source

Epidemics

Statement Type

Oath

Language

Greek

Time

370 BC 370s BC 4th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Hippocrates. Epidemics I. c. 4th century BC, second constitution, pt. 11.

Current Citation

Hippocrates. "Epidemics I." Hippocratic Writings, translated by J. Chadwick and W. N. Mann, et al. Penguin Classics, 1984, second constitution, pt. 11.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Ecclesiastes 9:10

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Topic

Carpe diem Vocation Hard work Work

Source

Ecclesiastes The Bible

Medium

Scripture

Genre

Religious literature

Language

Hebrew

Time

931 BC 930s BC 10th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 3

Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

One good turn deserves another.

Gaius Petronius

Satyricon

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Topic

Paying it forward Helping others

Author

Gaius Petronius

Source

Satyricon

Medium

Novel

Statement Type

Precepts and axioms

Language

Latin

Time

66 60s 1st century

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Petronius. Satyricon, Satyricon liber [The Book of Satyrlike Adventures]. c. 1st century AD, sect. 45.

Current Citation

Petronius. "The Satyricon." The Satyricon and The Apocolocyntosis of the Divine Claudius, translated by J. P. Sullivan. Penguin Classics, 1986, sect. 45.

How much better is thy love than wine!

Song of Solomon 4:10

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Topic

Sex

Source

Song of Solomon The Bible

Medium

Scripture

Genre

Religious literature

Language

Hebrew

Time

1000 BC 1000s BC 11th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 3

Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (Song of Solomon 4:10).

Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

Mark 16:8

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Topic

Jesus's resurrection

Source

Gospel of Mark The Bible

Medium

Scripture

Genre

Religious literature

Language

Greek

Time

60 60s 1st century

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 3

Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (Mark 16:8).

But where shall wisdom be found?

Job

Job 28:12

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Topic

Seeking wisdom Seeking Wisdom

Speaker

Job

Source

Book of Job The Bible

Medium

Scripture

Genre

Religious literature

Statement Type

Question

Language

Hebrew

Time

500 BC 500s BC 6th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 3

Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (Job 28:12).

War is father of all and king of all. Some he reveals as gods, other as men; some he makes slaves, other free.

Heraclitus

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Topic

War Fate

Author

Heraclitus

Medium

Presocratic fragment Fragment

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

5th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 0

Original Citation

Heraclitus. Fragments. 5th century BC, F23 - DK B53.

Current Citation

Heraclitus. "Heraclitus of Ephesus." The First Philosophers: The Presocratics and Sophists, translated by Robin Waterfield. Oxford University Press, 2009, F23 - DK B53.

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Apostle Paul

Romans 1:20

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Topic

Nature of God God

Author

Apostle Paul

Source

Romans The Bible

Medium

Scripture

Genre

Religious literature

Language

Greek

Time

56 50s 1st century

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 3

Citation

The Holy Bible, New International Version. International Bible Society, 1978. (Romans 1:20).

Before Abraham was born, I am.

Jesus

John 8:58

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Topic

Nature of Jesus Jesus Abraham

Speaker

Jesus

Source

Gospel of John The Bible

Medium

Scripture

Genre

Religious literature

Statement Type

Boast

Language

Greek

Time

90 90s 1st century

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 3

Citation

The Holy Bible, New International Version. International Bible Society, 1978. (John 8:58).

The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.

Archilochus

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Topic

Hedgehogs and foxes Nature of knowledge Knowledge

Author

Archilochus

Language

Greek

Time

600 BC 600s BC 7th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 1

Original Citation

Archilocus. The Fox and the Hedgehog. c. 650, fragment 103.

Current Citation

Archilocus. Quoted in The Fox and the Hedgehog, written by Isaiah Berlin. Princeton University Press, 2013.

Gossip is mischievous, light and easy to raise, but grievous to bear and hard to get rid of. No gossip ever dies away entirely, if many people voice it: it too is a kind of divinity.

Hesiod

Works and Days

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Topic

Effects of gossip Gossip

Author

Hesiod

Source

Works and Days

Medium

Poem

Genre

Didactic poem

Language

Greek

Time

700 BC 700s BC 8th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Hesiod. Ἔργα καὶ Ἡμέραι [Works and Days]. c. 700 BC, l. 761-764.

Current Citation

Hesiod. "Works and Days." Theogony and Works and Days, translated by M. L. West. Oxford University Press, 2009, l. 761-764.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.

Jesus

Matthew 6:19-20

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Topic

Accumulation of wealth Love of money Wealth Sermon on the Mount

Speaker

Jesus

Source

Gospel of Matthew The Bible

Medium

Scripture

Genre

Religious literature

Statement Type

Advice

Language

Greek

Time

60 60s 1st century

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 3

Citation

The Holy Bible, New King James Version. Thomas Nelson, 1982.. (Matthew 6:19-20).

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother.

Ephesians 6:1-2

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Topic

Obedience Parents and children

Source

Ephesians The Bible

Medium

Scripture

Genre

Religious literature

Language

Greek

Time

62 60s 1st century

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 3

Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (Ephesians 6:1-2).

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 16:18

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Topic

Pride

Source

Proverbs The Bible

Medium

Scripture

Genre

Religious literature

Statement Type

Proverbs, aphorisms and adages

Language

Hebrew

Time

686 BC 680s BC 7th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 3

Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (Proverbs 16:18).

The face is the mirror of the mind, and eyes without speaking confess the secrets of the heart.

St. Jerome

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Topic

Eyes are the window to the soul Housework and homemaking Communication

Author

St. Jerome

Source

Letters of St. Jerome

Medium

Letter

Language

Latin

Time

394 390s 4th century

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 0

Original Citation

Saint Jerome. Letter to Furia. c. 394, sect. 13.

Current Citation

Saint Jerome. "Letter LIV." Select Letters of Saint Jerome. Aeterna Press, 2015, sect. 13.

Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Jesus

Matthew 18:5-6

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Topic

Jesus and children Children

Speaker

Jesus

Source

Gospel of Matthew The Bible

Medium

Scripture

Genre

Religious literature

Language

Greek

Time

60 60s 1st century

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 3

Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (Matthew 18:5-6).

Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees.

Angel

Revelation 7:3

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Topic

Conservation Man and nature

Speaker

Angel

Source

Revelation The Bible

Medium

Scripture

Genre

Religious literature

Statement Type

Orders and commands

Language

Greek

Time

90 90s 1st century

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 3

Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (Revelation 7:3).

Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

John the Baptist

John 1:29

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Topic

Jesus Sacrifice Forgiveness of sins

Speaker

John the Baptist

Source

Gospel of John The Bible

Medium

Scripture

Genre

Religious literature

Language

Greek

Time

90 90s 1st century

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 3

Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (John 1:29).

He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Jesus

Matthew 10:39

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Topic

Martyrdom Salvation

Speaker

Jesus

Source

Gospel of Matthew The Bible

Medium

Scripture

Genre

Religious literature

Statement Type

Paradox

Language

Greek

Time

60 60s 1st century

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 3

Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (Matthew 10:39).