Cato the Elder Quotes

17 Sourced Quotes

I would much rather have men ask why I have no statue, than why I have one.

Cato the Elder
The best way to keep good acts in memory is to refresh them with new.

Cato the Elder
Wise men learn more from fools than fools from the wise.

Cato the Elder
Wise men profit more from fools than fools from wise men; for the wise men shun the mistakes of fools, but fools do not imitate the successes of the wise.

Cato the Elder
The pursuits of commerce would be as admirable as they are profitable if they were not subject to so great risks: and so, likewise, of banking, if it was always honestly conducted. For our ancestors considered, and so ordained in their laws, that, while the thief should be cast in double damages, the usurer should make four-fold restitution.

Cato the Elder
When you have arrived at your country house and have saluted your household, you should make the rounds of the farm the same day, if possible; if not, then certainly the next day. When you have observed how the field work has progressed, what things have been done, and what remains undone, you should summon your overseer the next day, and should call for a report of what work has been done in good season and why it has not been possible to complete the rest, and what wine and corn and other crops have been gathered.

Cato the Elder
The accounts of money, supplies and provisions should then be considered. The overseer should report what wine and oil has been sold, what price he got, what is on hand, and what remains for sale. Security should be taken for such accounts as ought to be secured. All other unsettled matters should be agreed upon. If any thing is needed for the coming year, it should be bought; every thing which is not needed should be sold. Whatever there is for lease should be leased.

Cato the Elder
Moreover, I consider that Carthage should be destroyed.

Cato the Elder
These are the duties of the overseer: He should maintain discipline. He should observe the feast days. He should respect the rights of others and steadfastly uphold his own. He should settle all quarrels among the hands; If any one is at fault he should administer the punishment. He should take care that no one on the place is in want, or lacks food or drink; in this respect he can afford to be generous, for he will thus more easily prevent picking and stealing.

Cato the Elder
The overseer should be responsible for the duties of the housekeeper. If the master has given her to you for a wife, you should be satisfied with her, and she should respect you. Require that she be not given to wasteful habits; that she does not gossip with the neighbours and other women. She should not receive visitors either in the kitchen or in her own quarters. She should not go out to parties, nor should she gad about.

Cato the Elder
Scipio is the soul of the council; the rest are vain shadows.

Cato the Elder
An orator is a good man who is skilled in speaking.

Cato the Elder
All mankind rules its women, and we rule all mankind, but our women rule us.

Cato the Elder
It is a hard matter, my fellow citizens, to argue with the belly, since it has no ears.

Cato the Elder
A farm is like a man—however great the income, if there is extravagance but little is left.

Cato the Elder
When you have decided to purchase a farm, be careful not to buy rashly; do not spare your visits and be not content with a single tour of inspection. The more you go, the more will the place please you, if it be worth your attention. Give heed to the appearance of the neighbourhood, - a flourishing country should show its prosperity. "When you go in, look about, so that, when needs be, you can find your way out."

Cato the Elder
Buy not what you want, but what you have need of; what you do not want is dear at a farthing.

Cato the Elder