Quintus Ennius was a significant figure in ancient Roman literature, often referred to as the “father of Roman poetry.” He was born around 239 BC in Rudiae, a town in Calabria, Italy, and died around 169 BC. Ennius is best known for his epic poem “Annales,” which chronicled Roman history in verse form from the mythical founding of Rome to his own time. His work was highly influential and served as a model for later Roman poets, including Virgil. Ennius also played a crucial role in introducing Greek literature and culture to Rome through his translations and adaptations of Greek works into Latin. Despite only fragments of his writings surviving today, Ennius’s impact on Roman literature and culture was profound.

Quintus Ennius Quotes

1. “The victor is not victorious if the vanquished does not consider himself so.”
— Quintus Ennius

2. “The idle mind knows not what it wants.”
— Quintus Ennius

3. “He who has two languages has two souls.”
— Quintus Ennius

4. “Let no one weep for me, or celebrate my funeral with mourning; for I still live, as I pass to and fro through the mouths of men.”
— Quintus Ennius

5. “A true friend is distinguished in the crisis of hazard and necessity; when the gallantry of his aid may show the worth of his soul and the loyalty of his heart.”
— Quintus Ennius

6. “Ennius was the father of Roman poetry, because he first introduced into Latin the Greek manner and in particular the hexameter metre.”
— Quintus Ennius

7. “No one regards what is before his feet; we all gaze at the stars.”
— Quintus Ennius

8. “A sure friend is known in unsure circumstances.”
— Quintus Ennius

9. “A true friend is tested in adversity.”
— Quintus Ennius

10. “O friend unseen, unborn, unknown, Student of our sweet English tongue, I never indulge in poetics – Unless I am down with rheumatics.”
— Quintus Ennius

11. “He who civilly shows the way to one who has missed it, is as one who has lighted another’s lamp from his own lamp; it none the less gives light to himself when it burns for the other.”
— Quintus Ennius

12. “I never indulge in rhyme or stanza Unless I’m in bed with the influenza.”
— Quintus Ennius

13. “The ape, vilest of beasts, how like to us.”
— Quintus Ennius

14. “Don’t ask of your friends what you yourself can do.”
— Quintus Ennius

15. “One man by delaying saved the state for us.”
— Quintus Ennius

16. “How can life be worth living, if devoid Of the calm trust reposed by friend in friend? What sweeter joy than in the kindred soul, Whose converse differs not from self-communion?”
— Quintus Ennius

17. “Let no one pay me honor with tears, nor celebrate my funeral rites with weeping.”
— Quintus Ennius

18. “To open his lips is crime in a plain citizen.”
— Quintus Ennius

19. “They hate whom they fear.”
— Quintus Ennius

20. “He hath freedom whoso beareth a clean and constant heart within.”
— Quintus Ennius

21. “The Roman state stands by ancient customs, and its manhood.”
— Quintus Ennius

22. “Here is he laid to whom for daring deed, nor friend nor foe could render worthy meed.”
— Quintus Ennius

23. “He whose wisdom cannot help him, gets no good from being wise.”
— Quintus Ennius

24. “Whom men fear they hate, and whom they hate, they wish dead.”
— Quintus Ennius

25. “That is true liberty, which bears a pure and firm breast.”
— Quintus Ennius