# Terence

Publius Terentius Afer (195/185–159 BC), more commonly referred to as Terence, was a comic playwright of the Roman Republic. A Berber born in or near Carthage, his comedies were first performed between 170 BC and 160 BC.

## Quotes
### Andria (The Lady of Andros)

* Do not they bring it to pass by knowing that they know nothing at all?
** The Prologue, line 17.
* Ne quid nimis.
** Moderation in all things. (Not anything in excess, a translation from the Greek μηδὲν ἄγαν. "Nothing in excess" as inscribed on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi.)
*** Line 61.
* Of surpassing beauty and in the bloom of youth.
** Act I, scene 1, line 45 (72).
* Obsequium amicos, veritas odium parit.
** Obsequiousness begets friends, truth hatred.
*** Act I, scene i, Line 41
* Hinc illae lacrimae.
** Hence these tears.
*** Line 126.
** Variant translation: Hence all those tears shed.
* That is a true proverb which is wont to be commonly quoted, that "all had rather it were well for themselves than for another."
** Act II, scene 5, line 15 (426).
* Amantium irae amoris integratio est.
** Lovers' quarrels are the renewal of love.
** Act III, scene 3, line 23 (555).
** Variant translation: Lovers’ rows make love whole again.
* Look you, I am the most concerned in my own interests.
** Act IV, scene 1, line 12 (636).

### Heauton Timorumenos (The Self-Tormentor)

* Homo sum: humani nihil a me alienum puto.
** I am human, I consider nothing human alien to me.
*** Act I, scene 1, line 25 (77).
** Variant translations:
** I am a human and consider nothing human alien to me.
** I am human, I consider nothing human to be alien to me.
** I am human, therefore nothing relating to humanity is outside of my concern.
** I am a man; I consider nothing human alien to me.
** I am a man, I regard nothing that is human alien to me.
** I am a man, I count nothing human foreign to me.
* Periclum ex aliis facito tibi quod ex usu siet.
** Draw from others the lesson that may profit yourself.
*** Act I, scene 2, line 37 (211).
* Diem adimere aegritudinem hominibus.
** Time removes distress.
*** Act III, scene 1, line 12 (421).
** Variant translations:
** Time heals all wounds.
** Time assuages sorrow.
* Aquilæ senectus.
** Really, you have seen the old age of an eagle, as the saying is (i.e., a vigorous old age).
*** Act III, scene 2, line 9 or 10 (520).
*** Cited in Classical and Foreign Quotations (1904), no. 143
* Many a time a man cannot be such as he would be, if circumstances do not admit of it.
** Act IV, scene 1, line 53 (666).
* Nil tam difficile est quin quaerendo investigari possit.
** Nothing is so difficult but that it may be found out by seeking.
*** Act IV, scene 2, line 8 (675).
* What now if the sky were to fall?
** Act IV, scene 3, line 41 (719).
* Ius summum saepe summa est malitia.
** Extreme law is often extreme injustice.
*** Act IV, scene 5, line 48 (796).
** Variant translations:
** The highest law is often the greatest wrong.
** Extreme justice is often extreme malice.
* Aliis si licet, tibi non licet.
** Some might, but not you.
*** Act IV, scene 5, line 49 (797).
** Variant translations:
** Though others were at liberty, you are not at liberty.
** Even though it is permitted for others, it isn't permitted for you.
* There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when you do it reluctantly.
** Act IV, scene 6, line 1 (805).
* How many things, both just and unjust, are sanctioned by custom!
** Act IV, scene 7, line 11 (839).
* Modo liceat vivere, est spes.
** While there's life, there's hope.
*** Line 981.

### Eunuchus

* Nullum est iam dictum quod non dictum sit prius.
** In fact, nothing is said that has not been said before.
** Prologue, Line 41.
** Variant translation: Nothing has yet been said that’s not been said before.
* It is up with you; all is over; you are ruined.
** Act I, scene 1, 9, line 54.
* si istuc crederem/sincere dici, quidvis possem perpeti.
** If I could believe that this was said sincerely, I could put up with anything.
*** Act I, scene 2, 96, line 176.
* Immortal gods! how much does one man excel another! What a difference there is between a wise person and a fool!
** Act II, scene 2, 1, line 232.
* I have everything, yet have nothing; and although I possess nothing, still of nothing am I in want.
** Act II, scene 2, 12, line 243.
* There are vicissitudes in all things.
** Act II, scene 2, 45, line 276.
* The very flower of youth.
** Act II, scene 3, 28, line 319.
* I did not care one straw.
** Act III, scene 1, 21, line 411.
* Jupiter, now assuredly is the time when I could readily consent to be slain, lest life should sully this ecstasy with some disaster.
** Act III, scene 5, 2, line 550.
* Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus
** Without Ceres (bread) and Bacchus (wine) Venus (love) freezes.
** Act IV, scene 1, 1, line 5.
* This and a great deal more like it I have had to put up with.
** Act IV, scene 6, 8, line 746.
* Take care and say this with presence of mind.
** Act IV, scene 6, 31, line 769.
* It behooves a prudent person to make trial of everything before arms.
** Act IV, scene 7, 19, line 789.
* I know the disposition of women: when you will, they won't; when you won't, they set their hearts upon you of their own inclination.
** Act IV, scene 7, 42, line 812.
* I took to my heels as fast as I could.
** Act V, scene 2, 5, line 844.
* Many a time,… from a bad beginning great friendships have sprung up.
** Act V, scene 2, 34, line 873.
* I only wish I may see your head stroked down with a slipper.
** Act V, scene 7, 4, line 1028.

### Phormio

* Fortis fortuna adiuvat.
** Fortune favours the brave.
** Variant translation: Fortune assists the brave.
** Act I, scene 4, line 25 (203).
** Cf. Virgil, Aeneid, Book X, line 284: "Audentes fortuna iuvat."
* It is the duty of all persons, when affairs are the most prosperous, 12 then in especial to reflect within themselves in what way they are to endure adversity.
** Act II, scene 1, line 11 (241).
* Nil est dictu facilius.
** Nothing is easier to say.
** Line 300.
* Quot homines tot sententiae: suus cuique mos.
** So many men, so many opinions: to each his own way.
** Act II, scene 4, line 14 (454).
** Variant translations:
** There are as many opinions as there are people: each has his own view.
** There are as many opinions as there are people: each has his own correct way.
** There are as many opinions as there are people: everyone has their own way of doing things.
* As the saying is, I have got a wolf by the ears.
** Act III, scene 2, line 21 (506).

### Adelphoe (The Brothers)

* I bid him look into the lives of men as though into a mirror, and from others to take an example for himself.
** Act III, scene 3, line 61 (415).
* According as the man is, so must you humor him.
** Act III, scene 3, line 77 (431).
* It is a maxim of old that among themselves all things are common to friends.
** Act V, scene 3, line 18 (803).
* What comes from this quarter, set it down as so much gain.
** Act V, scene 3, line 30 (816).
* It is the common vice of all, in old age, to be too intent upon our interests.
** Act V, scene 8, line 30 (953).

## Quotes about

* as the Roman poet Terence said, “I am human, therefore nothing human is alien to me.”
** Alicia Ostriker Interview

## External links

* The six plays of Terence at The Latin Library
* Andria at The Perseus Digital Library
* Hecyra at The Perseus Digital Library
* Heautontimorumenos at The Perseus Digital Library
* The Eunuch at The Perseus Digital Library
* Phormio at The Perseus Digital Library
* The Brothers at The Perseus Digital Library
* 15th century scripts from Hecyra and Eunuchus, Center for Digital Initiatives, University of Vermont Libraries
* Terence's works
* The Life of Terence, part of Suetonius's De Viris Illustribus, Translated by J. C. Rolfe.
* Commentum Terenti by Aelius Donatus, at the Internet Archive; 1902 Teubner edition.
* SORGLL: Terence, Eunuch 232-264, read by Matthew Dillon
* Latin with Laughter: Terence through Time