Marcus Terentius Varro Quotes

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Men are apt to die, but death is not apt for them; let us examine therefore whether it be not better to be slaughtered than to be dead, seeing how many have preferred life to tranquillity."

This quote by Marcus Terentius Varro suggests that human beings naturally fear death because they are wired to preserve life. However, the idea of death is abstract and not inherently harmful, unlike actual suffering or violence. In a metaphorical sense, Varro posits that some people might prefer to endure hardship (being "slaughtered") rather than face the state of being dead. He invites us to reflect on whether it's better to live with challenges than to have peace in death, as there are many examples throughout history of individuals choosing life over tranquility. This quote ultimately highlights the human instinct for survival and our preference for the struggle of life over the mystery of death.

"The wise man is satisfied with little, for he knows that there is very little which can really satisfy."

The quote suggests that wisdom enables one to find contentment in having less, as they understand that true satisfaction is seldom found in material possessions or external circumstances. Rather, the wise person appreciates that life's simple pleasures and inner peace are more valuable than chasing fleeting desires.

"We are not civilised by laws, but by customs; and by no other means than by good habits."

This quote suggests that true civilization isn't imposed through laws, but rather it is cultivated and nurtured through shared customs and good habits. It implies that the practices and behaviors that a society values and consistently upholds are what truly define its level of civilization. Laws may provide structure, but they do not necessarily foster the development of a civilized society; that comes from adhering to positive, constructive habits and customs over time.

"Nature has given women so weak a memory that they forget their duties to their husbands when they have children."

This quote, attributed to the Roman scholar Marcus Terentius Varro, reflects an outdated and biased perspective about women's roles in society during his time. It suggests that Varro believed women to be forgetful or incapable of fulfilling both their parental and marital duties concurrently. In essence, it perpetuates the harmful stereotype that women are not as capable or reliable as men, particularly in a domestic context. However, it's crucial to note that this quote does not reflect modern understandings of gender roles, responsibilities, and capabilities, nor should it be used to justify such beliefs in contemporary society. Women have consistently demonstrated their abilities to excel in various domains, from family life to professional pursuits, proving Varro's statement incorrect and outdated.

"The superior man is temperate, just, courageous, sincere, benevolent, wise, self-controlled, unassuming, and magnanimous; possessing these ten virtues he will be fit to rule over the world."

This quote by Marcus Terentius Varro outlines the ideal characteristics of a "superior" or noble individual, as defined within the Roman cultural context. The ten virtues listed - temperance, justice, courage, sincerity, benevolence, wisdom, self-control, humility, and magnanimity - serve as principles that guide an exceptional person's behavior. In simpler terms, a superior person is one who exhibits self-restraint (temperance), upholds fairness and righteousness (justice), demonstrates bravery in the face of adversity (courage), communicates honestly (sincerity), shows kindness to others (benevolence), seeks knowledge and understanding (wisdom), exercises discipline over their passions (self-control), remains modest despite success (humility), and displays generosity and broad-mindedness towards others (magnanimity). These virtues, when cultivated, lead to a fit ruler who is capable of effectively governing the world - not just in terms of political power but also in shaping society for the greater good.