Quotes from Martial

Life is not living, but living in health.

Life's not just about being alive, but being well.

Short is the life of those who possess great accomplishments, and seldom do they reach a good old age. Whatever thou lovest, pray that thou mayest not set too high a value on it.

You give me nothing during your life, but you promise to provide for me at your death. If you are not a fool, you know what I wish for!

It is as good as second life to be able to look back upon our past life with pleasure

Too late is tomorrow's life; live for today.

For life is only life when blessed with health.

It is not, believe me, the act of a wise man to say, "I will live." To-morrow's life is too late; live to-day.

To-morrow I will live, the fool does say; To-day itself's too late, the wise lived yesterday.

You puff the poets of other days, The living you deplore. Spare me the accolade: your praise Is not worth dying for.

Life consists not merely in existing, but in enjoying health.

He who thinks that the lives of Priam and of Nestor were long is much deceived and mistaken. Life consists not in living, but in enjoying health.

The present joys of life we doubly taste, By looking back with pleasure to the past.

It is to live twice when we can enjoy the recollections of our former life.

Can the fish love the fisherman? [Lat., Piscatorem piscis amare potest?]

While an ant was wandering under the shade of the tree of Phaeton, a drop of amber enveloped the tiny insect; thus she, who in life was disregarded, became precious by death.

I do not love thee, Sabidius, nor can I say why; I can only say this, "I do not love thee."

You do not publish your own verses, Laelius; you criticise mine. Pray cease to criticise mine, or else publish your own.

Gifts are hooks.

Lawyers are men who hire out their words and anger.

Do not pluck the beard of a dead lion.

Be content with what you are, and wish not change; not dread your last day, not long for it.

Each day provides its own gifts.

While you cannot resolve what you are, at last you will be nothing.