Virgil Quotes

Powerful Virgil for Daily Growth

About Virgil

Virgil (Publius Vergilius Maron), born on October 15, 70 BC in Mantua, Cisalpine Gaul (modern-day Italy), was one of the most influential Roman poets in history. His real name was Publius Vergilius Maro, but he is more commonly known as Virgil. Virgil's father, a farmer named Publius Vergilius Maro Senior, died before his birth, leaving his mother, a freedwoman of Etruscan origin named Terentia Varoni, to raise him in rural poverty. At 28, Virgil moved to Rome and began working as a scribe for the powerful Maecenas, Nero Claudius Drusus's advisor, who would become one of his most significant patrons. Virgil is best known for three epic poems: "Eclogues," or Bucolics, a collection of pastoral poems that reflect on Roman country life; "Georgics," an agricultural guide in verse form; and the unfinished "Aeneid." The "Aeneid" is Virgil's magnum opus, which follows Aeneas, a Trojan hero, as he journeys to Italy to fulfill his destiny and establish Rome. Influenced by Homer and Greek epic poetry, Virgil aimed to create an epic poem that would equal or surpass the great works of antiquity, making the "Aeneid" a cornerstone of Roman literature. His works continue to inspire countless other artists, scholars, and poets through the ages. Virgil passed away on September 21, 19 BC, before he could complete his unfinished masterpiece. Despite this incompleteness, the "Aeneid" cemented Virgil's place as a classical titan, with his poetry continuing to resonate across cultures and time.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Fortuna favet urgente" - Fortune favors the bold

Virgil's quote, "Fortuna favet urgente" (Fortune favors the bold), is a testament to the rewards that come from taking risks and acting decisively. It suggests that those who are brave enough to take bold actions, seize opportunities, and press forward against adversity are more likely to find favor with fortune or luck. In essence, the message encourages individuals to be fearless in their pursuits and proactive in their actions, as this increases their chances of success and good outcomes.


"Carpe Diem" - Seize the day

The quote "Carpe Diem" by Virgil, translated from Latin as "Seize the day," is a call to live fully and courageously in the present moment. It encourages individuals to make the most of every opportunity and not let fear, hesitation, or distractions prevent them from achieving their goals or finding joy in life. In essence, this quote inspires us to seize control of our lives, embrace each day with enthusiasm, and strive for fulfillment in the here and now.


"Aurora timentibus alit pavidos gallos." - The dawn feeds the chickens that tremble at the crack of dawn.

This quote by Virgil, "Aurora timentibus alit pavidos gallos" or "The dawn feeds the chickens that tremble at the crack of dawn," symbolizes how opportunities are often given to those who dare to face challenges or fear. The 'dawn' represents opportunities, and the 'chickens' embody individuals. The ones who tremble (feel afraid) are given the opportunity to grow (fed by the dawn) if they are willing to face their fears and seize the day. It implies that life rewards boldness and courage, as those who dare to take risks or confront fear are given chances to flourish.


"Neque porro quisquam est qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt." - Nor is there anyone who loves pain itself, merely because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which to be feeling pain creates the anticipation of relief.

Virgil's quote suggests that while no one inherently seeks pain, people often find comfort in the expectation of relief after experiencing suffering or hardship. Essentially, this quote highlights the human capacity to endure adversity for the hope of a brighter future. It implies that the anticipation and promise of resolution provide solace during difficult times, motivating individuals to persevere despite discomfort or pain.


"Bona fides facit amici clementiam et amicitiae durabiles sunt leges." - Good faith makes friends kind and the laws of friendship are lasting.

Virgil's quote, "Bona fides facit amicos clementiam et amicitiae durabiles sunt leges," highlights the importance of honesty and good faith in fostering and maintaining lasting friendships. Essentially, he is saying that sincerity generates kindness among friends, and the rules or principles of friendship are enduring. In other words, to have compassionate and long-lasting relationships, one must uphold trust, integrity, and fairness towards their friends.


Yield not to calamity, but face her boldly.

- Virgil

Face, Her, Calamity, Yield

Do not yield to misfortunes, but advance more boldly to meet them, as your fortune permits you.

- Virgil

Meet, Fortune, Misfortunes, Yield

Perhaps the day may come when we shall remember these sufferings with joy.

- Virgil

Remember, May, Perhaps, Sufferings

The descent to the infernal regions is easy enough, but to retrace one's steps, and reach the air above, there's the rub.

- Virgil

Reach, Regions, Retrace, Descent

None but himself can be his parallel.

- Virgil

Himself, His, None, Parallel

As the twig is bent the tree inclines.

- Virgil

Nature, Tree, Bent, Twig

Time passes irrevocably.

- Virgil

Time, Time Passes, Passes, Irrevocably

O accursed hunger of gold, to what dost thou not compel human hearts!

- Virgil

Gold, Hearts, Dost, Accursed

Love conquers all.

- Virgil

Love, Conquers

Time flies never to be recalled.

- Virgil

Time Flies, Never, Flies, Recalled

Age carries all things away, even the mind.

- Virgil

Mind, Away, Carries, All Things

Wherever the fates lead us let us follow.

- Virgil

Follow, Let Us, Fates, Wherever

Go forth a conqueror and win great victories.

- Virgil

Go, Victories, Forth, Conqueror

But meanwhile time flies; it flies never to be regained.

- Virgil

Time Flies, Never, Flies, Meanwhile

Every sound alarms.

- Virgil

Sound, Every, Alarm

Myself acquainted with misfortune, I learn to help the unfortunate.

- Virgil

Help, Learn, Unfortunate, Acquainted

What each man feared would happen to himself, did not trouble him when he saw that it would ruin another.

- Virgil

Happen, Another, Feared, Ruin

Let not our proposal be disregarded on the score of our youth.

- Virgil

Score, Proposal, Our, Disregarded

What region of the earth is not full of our calamities?

- Virgil

Earth, Calamities, Our, Region

All things deteriorate in time.

- Virgil

Time, All Things, Things, Deteriorate

Cease to think that the decrees of the gods can be changed by prayers.

- Virgil

Think, Cease, Gods, Changed

Their rage supplies them with weapons.

- Virgil

Rage, Supplies, Them, Weapons

It never troubles the wolf how many the sheep may be.

- Virgil

Never, How, May, Sheep

Fortune favours the bold.

- Virgil

Bold, Fortune, Favours

Age steals away all things, even the mind.

- Virgil

Mind, Away, Even, All Things

Who asks whether the enemy was defeated by strategy or valor?

- Virgil

Courage, Defeated, Whether, Strategy

Hug the shore; let others try the deep.

- Virgil

Deep, Try, Shore, Hug

All our sweetest hours fly fastest.

- Virgil

Time, Fly, Hours, Sweetest

Fear is proof of a degenerate mind.

- Virgil

Fear, Mind, Proof, Degenerate

There should be no strife with the vanquished or the dead.

- Virgil

Dead, Should, Strife, Vanquished

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.