Quintilian Quotes

Powerful Quintilian for Daily Growth

About Quintilian

Quintilian, born Marcus Fabius Quintilianus around 35 AD in Hispania (present-day Spain), was a renowned Latin rhetorician, orator, and pedagogue of the Imperial Roman period. He is best known for his comprehensive work on rhetoric, "Institutio Oratoria," which remains one of the most influential texts on the subject even today. Quintilian's early life was marked by poverty, but he demonstrated exceptional talent in oratory. Recognizing this, a wealthy patron named Vibius Sabinus supported his education in Rome. Quintilian's training included study under famous teachers such as Dorus and Aristus of Macedonia, who significantly influenced his thought. Quintilian's career as a teacher began around 60 AD when he opened his own school in Rome. His teaching method emphasized practical application over theory, a radical departure from traditional approaches at the time. He believed that oratory was not just about eloquence but also about honesty and fairness. In 80 AD, Quintilian was appointed to teach rhetoric at the imperial court under Emperor Domitian. However, his critical comments on the emperor's behavior led to his dismissal in 89 AD. After this, he retired from public life and dedicated himself to writing. His magnum opus, "Institutio Oratoria," was published around 95 AD. The work is divided into twelve books and covers every aspect of oratory from grammar and phonetics to delivery and the use of figures of speech. It is considered a cornerstone of rhetoric education in the Western world. Quintilian's influence extends far beyond his lifetime, shaping the development of rhetoric and oratory in Europe for centuries. His focus on practical application, ethical principles, and the importance of character has left a lasting legacy in fields ranging from law to politics to public speaking.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"If we do not educate our children well, we do not have a nation. If we raise indifferent citizens, we have no country."

This quote emphasizes the critical importance of education in shaping the future of a nation. It suggests that if the youth are not adequately educated, they will become unproductive members of society, failing to contribute effectively to the country's progress. Moreover, if citizens are indifferent or apathetic, it could lead to social instability and the erosion of national identity, ultimately undermining the very foundation of a country. Therefore, investing in quality education is not only about individual success but also national prosperity.


"Oratory is the most powerful engine in the world."

This quote suggests that eloquent speech, or oratory, holds immense power and influence. In essence, it underscores the idea that persuasive communication can significantly impact people's decisions and actions, making it one of the most potent forces in society. This highlights the importance of mastering the art of public speaking for those who wish to shape opinions, inspire change, or lead effectively.


"To know what to say of each kind and in every case is the mark of an educated man."

This quote by Quintilian emphasizes the importance of a well-rounded education, specifically one that equips individuals with versatile communication skills. A truly educated person, according to this, can appropriately respond in any given situation or context, demonstrating a deep understanding not only of various subjects but also of human interaction and social etiquette. In other words, being educated means having the ability to adapt one's knowledge and wisdom to different situations effectively.


"Eloquence without virtue is a terrible thing."

This quote emphasizes that possessing eloquent speech or persuasive skills, while valuable, holds little value if one lacks moral integrity and virtues. In essence, it suggests that the ability to speak well should be accompanied by good character and ethical behavior, as using such skills for dishonest or harmful purposes can result in negative consequences.


"In order to speak, we have first to hear. In order to act rightly, we must listen more carefully than we speak."

This quote by Quintilian emphasizes the importance of listening over speaking in both communication and life. It suggests that effective action requires careful attention when listening, as opposed to merely focusing on what one has to say. In essence, Quintilian encourages us to be more receptive to others' thoughts and ideas before expressing our own, fostering understanding, empathy, and thoughtful dialogue.


When defeat is inevitable, it is wisest to yield.

- Quintilian

Wisdom, Defeat, Inevitable, Yield

When we cannot hope to win, it is an advantage to yield.

- Quintilian

Cannot, We Cannot, Advantage, Yield

Forbidden pleasures alone are loved immoderately; when lawful, they do not excite desire.

- Quintilian

Alone, Pleasures, Lawful, Excite

The mind is exercised by the variety and multiplicity of the subject matter, while the character is moulded by the contemplation of virtue and vice.

- Quintilian

Mind, Vice, Multiplicity, Contemplation

A liar should have a good memory.

- Quintilian

Memory, Good Memory, Should, Liar

It is fitting that a liar should be a man of good memory.

- Quintilian

Memory, Should, Be A Man, Good Memory

Whilst we deliberate how to begin a thing, it grows too late to begin it.

- Quintilian

Too Late, How, Grows, Whilst

A laugh, if purchased at the expense of propriety, costs too much.

- Quintilian

Costs, Purchased, Too, Propriety

Consequently the student who is devoid of talent will derive no more profit from this work than barren soil from a treatise on agriculture.

- Quintilian

Student, Will, More, Profit

It is the nurse that the child first hears, and her words that he will first attempt to imitate.

- Quintilian

Words, Her, Will, Nurse

It seldom happens that a premature shoot of genius ever arrives at maturity.

- Quintilian

Genius, Maturity, Ever, Premature

To swear, except when necessary, is becoming to an honorable man.

- Quintilian

Necessary, Becoming, Except, Honorable

The perfection of art is to conceal art.

- Quintilian

Art, Conceal, Perfection

That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes.

- Quintilian

Soon, Which, Prematurely, Perfection

While we are making up our minds as to when we shall begin, the opportunity is lost.

- Quintilian

Lost, Minds, Making, Making Up

It is worth while too to warn the teacher that undue severity in correcting faults is liable at times to discourage a boy's mind from effort.

- Quintilian

Mind, Discourage, Severity, Liable

Verse satire indeed is entirely our own.

- Quintilian

Own, Satire, Indeed, Verse

As regards parents, I should like to see them as highly educated as possible, and I do not restrict this remark to fathers alone.

- Quintilian

Like, Them, Fathers, Highly

Those who wish to appear wise among fools, among the wise seem foolish.

- Quintilian

Wise, Wish, Appear, Fools

Our minds are like our stomaches; they are whetted by the change of their food, and variety supplies both with fresh appetite.

- Quintilian

Change, Food, Like, Fresh

It is much easier to try one's hand at many things than to concentrate one's powers on one thing.

- Quintilian

Than, Things, One Thing, Powers

Men, even when alone, lighten their labors by song, however rude it may be.

- Quintilian

Men, Song, However, Labors

Nature herself has never attempted to effect great changes rapidly.

- Quintilian

Nature, Never, Effect, Attempted

We excuse our sloth under the pretext of difficulty.

- Quintilian

Difficulty, Excuse, Pretext, Sloth

For it would have been better that man should have been born dumb, nay, void of all reason, rather than that he should employ the gifts of Providence to the destruction of his neighbor.

- Quintilian

Reason, Been, Employ, Providence

He who speaks evil only differs from his who does evil in that he lacks opportunity.

- Quintilian

His, Does, Speaks, Differs

The gifts of nature are infinite in their variety, and mind differs from mind almost as much as body from body.

- Quintilian

Nature, Mind, Variety, Differs

Without natural gifts technical rules are useless.

- Quintilian

Rules, Natural, Technical, Useless

The prosperous can not easily form a right idea of misery.

- Quintilian

Idea, Misery, Form, Prosperous

For the mind is all the easier to teach before it is set.

- Quintilian

Mind, Before, Set, Easier

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