26 Great Quotes By Juvenal With A Pinch Of Satire

Famous As: Poet

Born On: 55 AD

Died On: 127 AD

Born In: Aquino, Italy

Died At Age: 72

Juvenal was a renowned Roman poet and satirist. There is no authorized documentation of his early life other than a biography written by his followers. It is also believed that he spent a major part of his life in exile. When he returned to Rome he was penniless and had to depend on the charity for survival. His financial condition gradually improved and he went on to lead a comfortable life in Rome. During this period, he wrote ‘The Satires’ a compilation of 16 satiric poems and it turned out to be the most notable work of his life. His satires described the sufferings of the masses under the reign of different emperors. These satires were published in five volumes and each one aimed at a different subject. The first volume described the cruelty of Domitian’s dictatorship. His other satires expressed his thoughts on various topics like homosexuality, sexual degradation of Roman women and poverty. His satires had remained forgotten for a long time but was later revived and adapted by several famous modern day satirists. We bring to you a collection of sayings and quotations which have been excerpted from his writings and life. Presenting the compilation of thoughts and quotes by Juvenal.

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Writers

Poets

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? - Who will watch the watchers?

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? - Who will watch the watchers?
Will
Juvenal

Never does Nature say one thing and Wisdom another.

Never does Nature say one thing and Wisdom another.
Nature Never
Juvenal

Many commit the same crime with a very different result. One bears a cross for his crime; another a crown.

Many commit the same crime with a very different result. One bears a cross for his crime; another a crown.
Juvenal

Sit mens sana in corpore sano
(a healthy mind in a healthy body)

Sit mens sana in corpore sano (a healthy mind in a healthy body)
Juvenal

Many suffer from the incurable disease of writing, and it becomes chronic in their sick minds.

Many suffer from the incurable disease of writing, and it becomes chronic in their sick minds.
Juvenal

No man becomes bad all at once.
Juvenal

The people that once bestowed commands, consulships, legions, and all else, now concerns itself no more, and longs eagerly for just two things: bread and circuses!

The people that once bestowed commands, consulships, legions, and all else, now concerns itself no more, and longs eagerly for just two things: bread and circuses!
Juvenal

Dedicate one's life to truth
Life
Juvenal

All wish to possess knowledge, but few, comparatively speaking, are willing to pay the price.

All wish to possess knowledge, but few, comparatively speaking, are willing to pay the price.
Juvenal

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes.

Which roughly translates as

Who will Guard the Guardians, or
Who watches the watchers.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes. Which roughly translates as Who will Guard the Guardians, or Who watches the watchers.
Will
Juvenal

Honesty is admired, and starves.
Juvenal

Where talent is lacking, anger writes poetry.

Where talent is lacking, anger writes poetry.
Juvenal

..but who will guard the guardians?
Will
Juvenal

It is difficult not to write satire.
Satire
Juvenal

Writing in the incurable itch that possesses many.

Writing in the incurable itch that possesses many.
Juvenal

Orandum est ut sit mens sana in corpore sano.

Orandum est ut sit mens sana in corpore sano.
Juvenal

Besides what endless brawls by wives are bred,
The curtain lecture makes a mournful bed.

Besides what endless brawls by wives are bred, The curtain lecture makes a mournful bed.
Juvenal

Odi hanc ego quae repetit uoluitque Palaemonis artem seruata semper lege et ratione loquendi ignotosque mihi tenet antiquaria uersus nec curanda uiris.

Odi hanc ego quae repetit uoluitque Palaemonis artem seruata semper lege et ratione loquendi ignotosque mihi tenet antiquaria uersus nec curanda uiris.
Ego
Juvenal