Pliny the Elder (born Gaius Plinius Secundus, AD 23–79) was a Roman author, naturalist and natural philosopher, a naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and friend of emperor Vespasian.
The human features and countenance, although composed of but some ten parts or little more, are so fashioned that among so many thousands of men there are no two in existence who cannot be distinguished from one another.
. . . shellfish are the prime cause of the decline of morals and the adaptation of an extravagant lifestyle. Indeed of the whole realm of Nature the sea is in many ways the most harmful to the stomach, with its great variety of dishes and tasty fish.
Man alone at the very moment of his birth, cast naked upon the naked earth, does she abandon to cries and lamentations.
Why do we believe that in all matters the odd numbers are more powerful?
The desire to know a thing is heightened by its gratification being deferred.
The best plan is to profit by the folly of others.
No mortal man, moreover is wise at all moments.
God has no power over the past except to cover it with oblivion.
Simple diet is best: for many dishes bring many diseases, and rich sauces are worse than even heaping several meats upon each other.
There is an herb named in Latine Convolvulus (i. e. with wind), growing among shrubs and bushes, with carrieth a flower not unlike to this Lilly, save that it yeeldeth no smell nor hath those chives within; for whitenesse they resemble one another very much, as if Nature in making this floure were a learning and trying her skill how to frame the Lilly indeed.
The world, and whatever that be which we call the heavens, by the vault of which all things are enclosed, we must conceive to be a deity, to be eternal, without bounds, neither created nor subject at any time to destruction. To inquire what is beyond it is no concern of man; nor can the human mind form any conjecture concerning it.
An object in possession seldom retains the same charm that it had in pursuit.
There is in them a softer fire than the ruby, there is the brilliant purple of the amethyst, and the sea green of the emerald - all shining together in incredible union. Some by their splendor rival the colors of the painters, others the flame of burning sulphur or of fire quickened by oil.
The javelin-snake amphiptere hurls itself from the branches of trees.
Human nature is fond of novelty.
Nature is to be found in her entirety nowhere more than in her smallest creatures.
Human nature craves novelty.
Always act in such a way as to secure the love of your neighbour.
Contact with [menstrual blood] turns new wine sour, crops touched by it become barren, grafts die, seed in gardens are dried up, the fruit of trees fall off, the edge of steel and the gleam of ivory are dulled, hives of bees die, even bronze and iron are at once seized by rust, and a horrible smell fills the air; to taste it drives dogs mad and infects their bites with an incurable poison.
Let honor be to us as strong an obligation as necessity is to others.