[1457.] From Cicero on, an adjective or adverb is sometimes compared with another adjective or adverb. In such comparisons quam is always used.
In this case: (a.) Both members may have the positive form, the first with magis: as, Celer disertus magis est quam sapiēns, Att. 10, 1, 4, Celer is more eloquent than wise. magis audācter quam parātē, Br. 241, with more assurance than preparation. Or (b.) Both members may have the comparative suffix: as, lubentius quam vērius, Mil. 78, with greater satisfaction than truth. pestilentia minācior quam perniciōsior, L. 4, 52, 3, a plague more alarming than destructive.
[1458.] But sometimes the second member is put in the positive, even when the first has the comparative suffix: as, ācrius quam cōnsīderātē, Ta. H. 1, 83, with more spirit than deliberation. And sometimes both members: as, clārīs maiōribus quam vetustīs, Ta. 4, 61, of a house famous rather than ancient.
[1459.] The comparative may be modified by ablatives of difference, such as multō, far, aliquantō, considerably, paullō or paulō, a little, nimiō, too much, ever so much ([1393]). Also by etiam, even, still, and in Catullus, Sallust, Vergil, and later Latin by longē, far, adhūc, still.
[1460.] The comparative of an adjective or adverb often denotes that which is more than usual or more than is right: as,
solēre aiunt rēgēs Persārum plūrēs uxōrēs habēre, V. 3, 76, they say the Persian kings generally have several wives. senectūs est nātūrā loquācior, CM. 55, age is naturally rather garrulous. stomachābātur senex, sī quid asperius dīxeram, DN. 1, 93, the old gentleman always got provoked if I said anything a bit rough.
[1461.] The comparative of disproportion is often defined by some added expression: as,
prīvātīs maiōra focīs, J. 4, 66, something too great for private hearths ([1321]). flāgrantior aequō nōn dēbet dolor esse virī, J. 13, 11, the indignation of a man must not be over hot ([1330]). In Livy and Tacitus by quam prō with the ablative: see the dictionary. Sometimes a new sentence is added: as, sum avidior, quam satis est, glōriae, Fam. 9, 14, 2, I am over greedy of glory. For quam ut or quam quī, see [1896].
[1462.] The comparative with a sentence of negative import is often preferred to the superlative with a positive sentence: as,