Publius Ovidius Naso, renowned by his pen name Ovid was a Roman poet. He is counted among the most influential poets in Latin literature. He was born in 43 BC and worked as a poet of great influence under the rule of Roman Emperor Augustus. Ovid was sent into exile by the Emperor Augustus to the Black Sea and although the reasons might not be known, the poet had himself said that it was due to ‘a poem and a mistake.’ He is most famous for his seminal work ‘Metamorphoses’, a book on mythology that was collected in a total of 15 books and is considered to be one of the most important works of literature in the Latin language. In addition to that, Ovid had also written two hugely popular poems on love, titled ‘Amores’ and ‘Ars Amatoria’, which further enhanced his status as perhaps the greatest Latin poet to have ever lived. Ovid’s work was not only regarded as path breaking but in addition to that, his style went on to influence literature and the arts of the modern age. Ovid’s books, poems and other writings bear some of his noted thoughts which are popolar as his quotations and are frequently quoted by people. Following are some of his sayings and quotes by Ovid that would certainly throw a light on the thought process of one of the greatest poets.
Fas est ab hoste doceri.
One should learn even from one's enemies.
Ovid
Happy is the man who has broken the chains which hurt the mind, and has given up worrying once and for all.”
"Be patient and tough; one day this pain will be useful to you.
I am dragged along by a strange new force. Desire and reason are pulling in different directions. I see the right way and approve it, but follow the wrong.
A new idea is delicate. It can be killed by a sneer or a yawn; it can be stabbed to death by a quip and worried to death by a frown on the right man's brow.