Terence

Publius Terentius Afer (195/185–159 BC), more commonly referred to as Terence, was a comic playwright of the Roman Republic. A Berber born in or near Carthage, his comedies were first performed between 170 BC and 160 BC.

Andria (The Lady of Andros)

 * Do not they bring it to pass by knowing that they know nothing at all?
 * The Prologue, line 17.


 * Ne quid nimis.
 * Moderation in all things. (Not anything in excess, a translation from the Greek μηδὲν ἄγαν. "Nothing in excess" as inscribed on the Temple of  Apollo at  Delphi.)
 * Line 61.


 * Of surpassing beauty and in the bloom of youth.
 * Act I, scene 1, line 45 (72).


 * Obsequium amicos, veritas odium parit.
 * Obsequiousness begets friends, truth hatred.
 * Act I, scene i, Line 41


 * Hinc illae lacrimae.
 * Hence these tears.
 * Line 126.
 * Variant translation: Hence all those tears shed.


 * That is a true proverb which is wont to be commonly quoted, that "all had rather it were well for themselves than for another."
 * Act II, scene 5, line 15 (426).


 * Amantium irae amoris integratio est.
 * Lovers' quarrels are the renewal of love.
 * Act III, scene 3, line 23 (555).
 * Variant translation: Lovers’ rows make love whole again.


 * Look you, I am the most concerned in my own interests.
 * Act IV, scene 1, line 12 (636).

Heauton Timorumenos (The Self-Tormentor)
Variant:
 * Homo sum: humani nihil a me alienum puto.
 * Homo sum: humani nil a me alienum puto.
 * I am human, I consider nothing human alien to me.
 * Act I, scene 1, line 25 (77).
 * Variant translations:
 * I am a human and consider nothing human alien to me.
 * I am human, I consider nothing human to be alien to me.
 * I am human, therefore nothing relating to humanity is outside of my concern.
 * I am a man; I consider nothing human alien to me.
 * I am a man, I regard nothing that is human alien to me.
 * I am a man, I count nothing human foreign to me.


 * Periclum ex aliis facito tibi quod ex usu siet.
 * Draw from others the lesson that may profit yourself.
 * Act I, scene 2, line 37 (211).


 * Diem adimere aegritudinem hominibus.
 * Time removes distress.
 * Act III, scene 1, line 12 (421).
 * Variant translations:
 * Time heals all wounds.
 * Time assuages sorrow.


 * Aquilæ senectus.
 * Really, you have seen the old age of an eagle, as the saying is (i.e., a vigorous old age).
 * Act III, scene 2, line 9 or 10 (520).
 * Cited in Classical and Foreign Quotations (1904), no. 143


 * Many a time a man cannot be such as he would be, if circumstances do not admit of it.
 * Act IV, scene 1, line 53 (666).


 * Nil tam difficile est quin quaerendo investigari possit.
 * Nothing is so difficult but that it may be found out by seeking.
 * Act IV, scene 2, line 8 (675).


 * What now if the sky were to fall?
 * Act IV, scene 3, line 41 (719).


 * Ius summum saepe summa est malitia.
 * Extreme law is often extreme injustice.
 * Act IV, scene 5, line 48 (796).
 * Variant translations:
 * The highest law is often the greatest wrong.
 * Extreme justice is often extreme malice.


 * Aliis si licet, tibi non licet. 
 * Some might, but not you.
 * Act IV, scene 5, line 49 (797).
 * Variant translations:
 * Though others were at liberty, you are not at liberty.
 * Even though it is permitted for others, it isn't permitted for you.


 * There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when you do it reluctantly.
 * Act IV, scene 6, line 1 (805).


 * How many things, both just and unjust, are sanctioned by custom!
 * Act IV, scene 7, line 11 (839).


 * Modo liceat vivere, est spes.
 * While there's life, there's hope.
 * Line 981.

Eunuchus

 * Nullum est iam dictum quod non dictum sit prius.
 * In fact, nothing is said that has not been said before.
 * Prologue, Line 41.
 * Variant translation: Nothing has yet been said that’s not been said before.


 * It is up with you; all is over; you are ruined.
 * Act I, scene 1, 9, line 54.


 * si istuc crederem/sincere dici, quidvis possem perpeti.
 * If I could believe that this was said sincerely, I could put up with anything.
 * Act I, scene 2, 96, line 176.


 * Immortal gods! how much does one man excel another! What a difference there is between a wise person and a fool!
 * Act II, scene 2, 1, line 232.


 * I have everything, yet have nothing; and although I possess nothing, still of nothing am I in want.
 * Act II, scene 2, 12, line 243.


 * There are vicissitudes in all things.
 * Act II, scene 2, 45, line 276.


 * The very flower of youth.
 * Act II, scene 3, 28, line 319.


 * I did not care one straw.
 * Act III, scene 1, 21, line 411.


 * Jupiter, now assuredly is the time when I could readily consent to be slain, lest life should sully this ecstasy with some disaster.
 * Act III, scene 5, 2, line 550.


 * Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus
 * Without Ceres (bread) and Bacchus (wine) Venus (love) freezes.
 * Act IV, scene 1, 1, line 5.


 * This and a great deal more like it I have had to put up with.
 * Act IV, scene 6, 8, line 746.


 * Take care and say this with presence of mind.
 * Act IV, scene 6, 31, line 769.


 * It behooves a prudent person to make trial of everything before arms.
 * Act IV, scene 7, 19, line 789.


 * I know the disposition of women: when you will, they won't; when you won't, they set their hearts upon you of their own inclination.
 * Act IV, scene 7, 42, line 812.


 * I took to my heels as fast as I could.
 * Act V, scene 2, 5, line 844.


 * Many a time,… from a bad beginning great friendships have sprung up.
 * Act V, scene 2, 34, line 873.


 * I only wish I may see your head stroked down with a slipper.
 * Act V, scene 7, 4, line 1028.

Phormio

 * Fortis fortuna adiuvat.
 * Fortune favours the brave.
 * Variant translation: Fortune assists the brave.
 * Act I, scene 4, line 25 (203).
 * Cf. Virgil, Aeneid, Book X, line 284: "Audentes fortuna iuvat."


 * It is the duty of all persons, when affairs are the most prosperous, 12 then in especial to reflect within themselves in what way they are to endure adversity.
 * Act II, scene 1, line 11 (241).


 * Nil est dictu facilius.
 * Nothing is easier to say.
 * Line 300.


 * Quot homines tot sententiae: suus cuique mos.
 * So many men, so many opinions: to each his own way.
 * Act II, scene 4, line 14 (454).
 * Variant translations:
 * There are as many opinions as there are people: each has his own view.
 * There are as many opinions as there are people: each has his own correct way.
 * There are as many opinions as there are people: everyone has their own way of doing things.


 * As the saying is, I have got a wolf by the ears.
 * Act III, scene 2, line 21 (506).

Adelphoe (The Brothers)

 * I bid him look into the lives of men as though into a mirror, and from others to take an example for himself.
 * Act III, scene 3, line 61 (415).


 * According as the man is, so must you humor him.
 * Act III, scene 3, line 77 (431).


 * It is a maxim of old that among themselves all things are common to friends.
 * Act V, scene 3, line 18 (803).


 * What comes from this quarter, set it down as so much gain.
 * Act V, scene 3, line 30 (816).


 * It is the common vice of all, in old age, to be too intent upon our interests.
 * Act V, scene 8, line 30 (953).

Quotes about

 * as the Roman poet Terence said, “I am human, therefore nothing human is alien to me.”
 * Alicia Ostriker Interview