Quotes from Catullus

I can imagine no greater misfortune for a cultured people than to see in the hands of the rulers not only the civil, but also the religious power.

But you shall not escape my iambics.

What woman says to fond lover should be written on air or the swift water. [Lat., Mulier cupido quod dicit amanti, In vento et rapida scribere oportet aqua.]

I hate and I love. Perchance you ask why I do that. I know not, but I feel that I do and I am tortured. [Lat., Odi et amo. Quare id faciam, fortasse requiris. Nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior.]

I hate and love. You ask, perhaps, how can that be? I know not, but I feel the agony.

Let us live, my Lesbia, and let us love. Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus

It is difficult to suddenly give up a long love. Difficile est longum subito deponere amorem

I write of youth, of love, and have access by these to sing of cleanly wantonness.

I hate and I love, and who can tell me why?

I hate and love. And why, perhaps you'll ask.I don't know: but I feel, and I'm tormented.

Odi et amo. Quare id faciam, fortasse requiris. Nescio. des fieri sentio et excrucior.I hate and I love. You may ask, why I do this. I do not know. But I sense that I do and it pains me.

Odi et amo. quare id faciam, fortasse requiris? nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior.

I hate and I love Why do I, you ask ? I don't know, but it's happening and it hurts

You think I'm a sissy? I will sodomize you and face-fuck you.

Let us live and love, nor give a damn what sour old men say. The sun that sets may rise again, but when our light has sunk into the earth it is gone forever.

I hate and I love. And if you ask me how, I do not know: I only feel it, and I am torn in two.

I hate and love. And why, perhaps you'll ask. I don't know: but I feel, and I'm tormented.

Godlike the man who sits at her side, who watches and catches that laughter which (softly) tears me to tatters: nothing is left of me, each time I see her...

Odi et amo; quare fortasse requiris, nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior. (my translation: I hate and I love, you ask why I do this, I do not know, but I feel and I am tormented)

In perpetuum, frater, ave atque vale. (Forever and ever, brother, hail and farewell.)

Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus, rumoresque senum severiorum omnes unius aestimemus assis! soles occidere et redire possunt; nobis cum semel occidit brevis lux, nox est perpetua una dormienda. da mi basia mille, deinde centum, dein mille altera, dein secunda centum, deinde usque altera mille, deinde centum; dein, cum milia multa fecerimus, conturbabimus illa, ne sciamus, aut ne quis malus invidere possit cum tantum sciat esse basiorum.

Ave Atque Vale Hail and farewell

Oh, this age! How tasteless and ill-bred it is.

Atque in perpetuum, frater, ave atque vale.