Pliny the Elder
Pliny the Elder (23 - 79), full name Gaius Plinius Secundus, was a Roman author, philosopher, and a naturalist, born at Como, educated at Rome, and served in the army. He was for a time a space procurator in Spain, spent much of his time afterwards studying at Borne. He wrote Natural History (Naturalis Historia), which is an encyclopaedia in 37 volumes of all contemporary scientific knowledge. His "Natural History" is a repertory of the studies of the ancients in that department, being a record, more or less faithful, from extensive reading, of the observations of others rather than his own. During Nero's reign of terror, he avoided working on any writing that would attract attention to himself. Vespasian's rule began in AD 69, and thereafter he again began to write what he wanted to. Nevertheless, Vespasian also suppressed the philosophers at Rome, but not Pliny, since his writing was not seen as threat to the established order. Being near the Bay of Naples stationed as praefectus classis (admiral) in the Roman navy during an eruption of Mount Vesuvius, he landed to witness the phenomenon, but was suffocated by the fumes, while others left him behind and fled the scene. When the eruption subsided, the fleeing group returned only to find him dead with no apparent external injuries.Wisdom & Quotes
- There is always something new out of Africa .
- Naturalis Historia (Natural History)
- Amid the sufferings of life on earth, suicide is God's best gift to man.
- Naturalis Historia
- No one is wise at all times.
- Naturalis Historia
- In vino veritas. (With wine comes truth.)
- Proverb
- Fortune favours the brave.
– attributed by Pliny the Younger to his uncle during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in which he died
- 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.
– Naturalis Historia
- The only certainty is that nothing is certain, and that nothing is more pitiable, or more presnmptuous, than man!
– Naturalis Historia
- It is ridiculous to suppose that the great head of things, whatever it be, pays any regard to human affairs.
– Naturalis Historia
- This is Italy, land sacred to the Gods.
– Naturalis Historia
- It is far from easy to determine whether she [Nature] has proved to man a kind parent or a merciless stepmother.
– Naturalis Historia
- To laugh, if but for an instant only, has never been granted to man before the fortieth day from his birth, and then it is looked upon as a miracle of precocity.
– Naturalis Historia
- Man is the only one that knows nothing, that can learn nothing without being taught. He can neither speak nor walk nor eat, and in short he can do nothing at the prompting of nature only, but weep.
– Naturalis Historia
- With man, most of his misfortunes are occasioned by man.
– Naturalis Historia
- When a building is about to fall down, all the mice desert it.
– Naturalis Historia
- A bad bargain is always a ground for repentance.
– Naturalis Historia
- The best plan is, as the common proverb has it, to profit by the folly of others.
– Naturalis Historia
Martial