Publilius Syrus Quotes
Wisdom had rather be buffeted than not listened to.
Syrus, Publilius. The Moral Sayings of Publius Syrus, a Roman Slave. Translated by Darius Lyman, L. E. Barnard & Company, 1856.
"Winters" is used in both a literal and metaphorical sense. The wise man must be old enough to have garnered the wisdom and he must have lived through some difficult times.
The papyrus appears to be an instruction booklet for government officials. The Egyptians thought that thinking and the intellect is done by the heart. In this context we would say, “Don’t let your head get big ….”
Publilius Syrus (fl. 85–43 BC), was a Latin writer, best known for his sententiae. He was a Syrian from Antioch who was brought as a slave to Roman Italy. Syrus was brought to Rome on the same ship that brought Manilius, the astronomer and Staberius Eros, the grammarian. By his wit and talent, Syrus won the favour of his master, who granted him manumission and educated him. He became a member of the Publilia gens. Publilius' name, due to the palatalization of 'l' between two 'i's in the Early Middle Ages, is often presented by manuscripts (and some printed editions) in corrupt form as 'Publius', Publius being a very common Roman praenomen.
