Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources / Including Phrases, Mottoes, Maxims, Proverbs, Definitions, Aphorisms, and Sayings of Wise Men, in Their Bearing on Life, Literature, Speculation, Science, Art, Religion, and Morals, Especially in the Modern Aspects of Them

by Rev. James Wood

Visible ploughmen and hammermen there have been, ever from Cain and Tubal Cain downwards; but where does your accumulated agricultural, metallurgic, and other manufacturing skill lie warehoused? Carlyle.

Vita brevis, ars longa—Life is short, art is long.

Vita dum superest, bene est—If only life remain, I am content. Mæcenas.

Vita hominis sine literis mors est—Life without letters is death. M.

Vita est hominum quasi quum ludas tesseris—The 20 life of man is like a game with dice. Ter.

Vita sine proposito vaga est—A life without a purpose is a rambling one. Sen.

Vitæ est avidus, quisquis non vult / Mundo secum pereunte mori—He is greedy of life who is unwilling to die when the world around him is perishing. Sen.

Vitæ philosophia dux, virtutis indagatrix—O philosophy, thou guide of life and discoverer of virtue. Cic.

Vitæ post-scenia celant—They conceal the secret actions of their lives (lit. what goes on behind the scenes). Lucret.

Vitæ summa brevis spem nos vetat inchoare 25 longam—The short span of life forbids us to spin out hope to any length. Hor.