Sign-In
Cart
The Moral Sayings of Publius Syrus: A Roman Slave
Paperback
PhilosophyGeneral ReferenceReligion General
ISBN13: 9781684930531
Publisher: Mockingbird Pr
Published: May 23 2022
Pages: 72
Weight: 0.26
Height: 0.17 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
The Moral Sayings of Publius Syrus, A Roman Slave is a collection of proverbs and aphorisms pulled from the many mimes and plays of Publius Syrus. Enslaved by the Romans in his youth, this witty man went on to conquer the Roman stage. These maxims, believed to have been collected in the 1st century AD, are all that remain of the great playwright's work.
Born in Syria in the 1st century BC, Publius Syrus was enslaved and brought to Rome by an army officer after the Romans conquered his native country. It was in Rome that he was given the name of Syrus, for his place of origin. He was then around 12 years old.
This soldier had a patron who was delighted with the boy and requested that the soldier give Syrus to him. The soldier complied. Syrus' new master found the boy witty and bright and was often entertained with his commentary. With such promise, the master provided Syrus with an education and later freed him. Syrus was immensely grateful and remained friends with his former master for the rest of his life. He took the surname Publius, which was probably the surname of his master.
Newly free, Syrus traveled to Italy and began composing mimes-comical farces often used to represent the failings and eccentricities of the higher classes, and the vulgar language and solecisms of the lower. This combination of humor and moralism was widely popular among the Romans of the time, and Syrus earned great acclaim as a poet and actor.
When Caesar was re-elected as Dictator, he planned days of games and performances to entertain his subjects. Syrus was invited to perform, among many other writers and actors. When he arrived back in Rome, he challenged the other poets to a battle of wits, where he beat them all. He went on to dominate the Roman stage for the rest of his life.
None of the great master's plays have survived the ensuing centuries. But fortunately, many of his pithy maxims were collected from his plays, probably in the 1st century AD, and gathered into a single volume. This collection was translated from the Latin and first published in 1856.
Included among the 1,087 proverbs are some that appear to be the foundation-or at least an early version-of sayings we still use today.
For example, #1086 states, When the dog is too old you cannot get him used to the collar. Could this be the source of today's You can't teach an old dog new tricks? And #1076 advises, If you gain new friends, don't forget the old ones. This is quite similar to Make new friends but keep the old.
There are many more sayings that have not become part of our common lexicon but are still worth considering.
● #47 - The plainer the table, the more wholesome the food.
● #58 - When the tree has fallen, anyone can cut wood.
● #91 - He who boasts of a favor bestowed, would like it back again.
● #144 - Society in shipwreck is a comfort to all.
● #324 - Man's life is a loan, not a gift.
Still others seem to contradict each other. For example, #184 states that Wisdom is acquired by meditation. But the very next, #185, states While we stop to think, we often miss our opportunity. In the same vein, #263 says that No one ever lost honor but him who never had any. And then #264 says He who has forfeited his honor can lose nothing more.
While additional context regarding these quotes would be useful, they still have value on their own. These 1,087 proverbs, written over 2,000 years ago, have provided a second fame for the brilliant playwright, and are a worthy study.
Also from
Syrus, Publius
L. Annaei Senecae Et P. Syri Mimi, Fosan Etiam Aliorum, Singulares Sententiae ...
Gruterus, Janus
Seneca, Lucius Annaeus
Syrus, Publius
Paperback
One Line Classics: The Moral Sayings of Publius Syrus: Sentences on People, Power, and Restraint from a Roman Slave
Syrus, Publius
Paperback
One Line Classics: The Moral Sayings of Publius Syrus: Sentences on People, Power, and Restraint from a Roman Slave
Syrus, Publius
Hardcover
Phaedri Fabulae, Et P. Syri Mimi, Cum Notis Et Emendationibus Tanaquilli Fabri (1689)
Phaedrus
Syrus, Publius
Faber, Tanaquillus
Paperback
Phaedri Fabulae, Et P. Syri Mimi, Cum Notis Et Emendationibus Tanaquilli Fabri (1689)
Syrus, Publius
Faber, Tanaquillus
Phaedrus
Paperback
Also in
General Reference
Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook (Core Rulebook, D&d Roleplaying Game)
Dungeons & Dragons
Hardcover
The Science Magpie: Fascinating Facts, Stories, Poems, Diagrams and Jokes Plucked from Science
Flynn, Simon
Paperback
Peculiar Questions and Practical Answers: A Little Book of Whimsy and Wisdom from the Files of the New York Public Library
New York Public Library
Hardcover
The Parenting Project: Build Extraordinary Relationships with Your Kids Through Daily Conversation
Schlichting, Kristine
Alamar, Amy
Paperback
Within the House of Murdaugh: Amid a Unique Friendship, Blanca and Maggie
Weaver, Mary Frances
Turrubiate-Simpson, Blanca
Paperback
Lost in Space: 5,000 Facts for Navigating the Universe
Walker, Lindsey Nyx
Tyson, Neil Degrasse
Hardcover
Canning & Preserving: The Techniques, Equipment, and Recipes to Get Started
Harmeling, Michele
Paperback
The New Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Expert Advice for Extreme Situations
Borgenicht, David
Piven, Joshua
Hardcover
Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers Volume 1
Roux, Jessica
Hardcover
Mushrooms of the Upper Midwest: A Simple Guide to Common Mushrooms
Yerich, Kathy
Marrone, Teresa
Paperback
The Book of Unusual Knowledge: Big Book of Fascinating Facts & Information Hardcover Gift for Trivia Buffs, Curious Minds, Adults, Dad & Knowledge See
Publications International Ltd
Hardcover
White Elephant Gifts for Adult: 500 Serial Killers Encyclopedia Facts and Figures
Murdle, K.
Paperback
Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool
Oster, Emily
Paperback
Take It from Me: An Agent's Guide to Building a Nonfiction Writing Career from Scratch
Habib, Alia Hanna
Hardcover
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book on Novel Writing You'll Ever Need
Brody, Jessica
Paperback
The Writing Rope: A Framework for Explicit Writing Instruction in All Subjects
Sedita, Joan
Paperback
Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence
Leo XIV, Pope
Paperback
American Sign Language Made Easy for Beginners: A Visual Guide with ASL Signs, Lessons, and Quizzes
Belmontes-Merrell, Travis
Paperback
True Facts That Sound Like Bull$#*t: 500 Insane-But-True Facts That Will Shock and Impress Your Friends 1
Carley, Shane
Paperback
The Modern Guide to Querying Literary Agents: From Rejection to Representation in 8 Steps
McDonald, Patrick
Matesic, Alyssa
Paperback
The Trusted Advisor: 20th Anniversary Edition
Green, Charles
Maister, David H.
Galford, Robert
Paperback
Effective Phrases for Performance Appraisals: A Guide to Successful Evaluations
Neal Jr, James E.
Paperback
The Public Domain: Find and Use Free Content for Your Website, Book, App, Music, Video, Art, and More
Secor, Glen
Paperback
Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, 12th Edition
Robert, Henry M., III
Honemann, Daniel H.
Balch, Thomas J.
Paperback
The New Lifetime Reading Plan: The Classical Guide to World Literature, Revised and Expanded
Fadiman, Clifton
Major, John S.
Paperback
The Writing Revolution 2.0: A Guide to Advancing Thinking Through Writing in All Subjects and Grades
Hochman, Judith C.
Wexler, Natalie
Paperback
5 Steps to a 5: AP English Language and Composition 2027: Practice AP Tests + AP Content Review + Digital Exams
Murphy, Barbara
Paperback
The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College (Revised and Updated)
Cohen, Harlan
Paperback
Freeing the Natural Voice: Imagery and Art in the Practice of Voice and Language (Revised & Expanded)
Linklater, Kristin
Paperback
The Preparation: How To Become Competent, Confident, and Dangerous
Smith, Matt
Smith, Maxim
Casey, Doug
Hardcover
French Short Stories: Thirty French Short Stories for Beginners to Improve your French Vocabulary
Moreau, Dylane
Paperback
The Essentials of Adolescent Literacy: Integrating Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Instruction in Grades 5-12
Sedita, Joan
Paperback
The Reading Strategies Book 2.0: Your Research-Based Guide to Developing Skilled Readers
Serravallo, Jennifer
Paperback
The New Dark Ages: The Death of Reading and the Dawn of the Post-Literate Society
Marriott, James
Hardcover
Read These Banned Books: A Journal and 52-Week Reading Challenge from the American Library Association
American Library Association (ALA)
Paperback
5 Steps to a 5: AP English Literature and Composition 2027: Practice AP Tests + AP Content Review + Digital Exams
Hartnett, Michael
Paperback
Seberson Method: New Sat(r) Vocabulary Workbook: Over 700 High-Frequency Words to Master
Seberson, Katya
Paperback
Chase's Calendar of Events 2027: The Ultimate Go-To Guide for Special Days, Weeks and Months
Chase's, Editors Of
Paperback
Stuff Every Adult Should Know: A Pocket-Sized Guide to Grown-Up Know-How, from Taxes to Small Talk
Kalb, Alanna
Cohen, Brett
Favreau, Alyssa
Hardcover
The Vocabulary Builder Workbook: Simple Lessons and Activities to Teach Yourself Over 1,400 Must-Know Words
Magoosh
Lele, Chris
Paperback
Writing Fiction, Tenth Edition: A Guide to Narrative Craft
Stuckey-French, Ned
Burroway, Janet
Stuckey-French, Elizabeth
Paperback
Elledge's Nontrivial Trivia: The Seriously Enlightening Stories Behind Supposedly Simple Facts
Elledge, Jonn
Paperback
Vanishing Culture: A Report on Our Fragile Cultural Record
Messarra, Luca
Ziskina, Juliya
Freeland, Chris
Paperback
Black People Invented Everything: The Deep History of Indigenous Creativity
Dass, Sujan Kumar
Paperback
180 Days(tm) Reading for Fifth Grade, 2nd Edition: Practice, Assess, Diagnose
Levsey, Dylan
Kopp, Kathleen N.
Kopp, Kathy
Paperback
Hoyle's Rules of Games, 3rd Revised and Updated Edition: The Essential Guide to Poker and Other Card Games
Morehead, Philip D.
Morehead, Albert H.
Mott-Smith, Geoffrey
Paperback
Spelling High School Grades 9-10: Vocabulary and Writing Practice with Interactive Activities
Attard, Natasha
Paperback
Thinking Critically about What Matters: A Punk Rock Guide
Klipfel, Kevin Michael
Klipfel, Lyndsay
Paperback
The Orvis Quick-Start Guide to Fly-Fishing: Everything You Need to Know to Catch Fish Your First Time Out
Monahan, Philip
Paperback
The Book For Men Who Have Everything: Unusual Knowledge and Boredom Busters for Intelligent Men
Iq Street
Paperback
The What Does the Bible Say about: The Ultimate A to Z Resource
Nelson Reference
Thomas Nelson Publishers
Paperback
The Essentials: The Art of Interior Design: A Guide to Furnishing, Decorating, and Styling Your Home
Goebel, Julie
Flemming, Caitlin
Hardcover
Night Sky Guide 2026: North America's Skies Month by Month from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
Mortillaro, Nicole
Paperback
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print
Browne, Renni
King, Dave
Paperback
The Backyard Birdwatcher's Bible: Birds, Behaviors, Habitats, Identification, Art & Other Home Crafts
Perrins, Christopher
Ellis, Sonya Patel
Sterry, Paul
Hardcover
Within the House of Murdaugh: Amid a Unique Friendship, Blanca and Maggie
Turrubiate-Simpson, Blanca
Weaver, Mary Frances
Hardcover
The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human and How to Tell Them Better
Storr, Will
Paperback
The Best Punctuation Book, Period (Revised Edition): A Comprehensive Guide for Every Writer, Editor, Student, and Businessperson
Casagrande, June
Paperback
The New American Ephemeris for the 21st Century 2000-2100 at Midnight, Michelsen Memorial Edition
Michelsen, Neil F.
Paperback
Generative AI and Libraries: Claiming Our Place in the Center of a Shared Future
Rosser, Chris
Hanegan, Michael
Paperback
Totally Awesome Book of Useless Information: A Delightfully Absurd Collection of Unusual Knowledge for Adults and Teens
Style, Life Daily
Paperback