“Drastic action is called for – and justified – when you find yourself in a particularly difficult situation.”
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Petronius Maximus
Petronius Maximus was Roman emperor of the West for two and a half months in 455. A wealthy senator and a prominent aristocrat, he was instrumental in the murders of the Western Roman magister militum, Aëtius, and the Western Roman emperor, Valentinian III.
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politics · Western Roman emperor in 455 · politician · also Petronius Maximus, Maximus
Born 0396 · Died 22 April 0455 · Q191940
48 published statements · 0 followers
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2026· 18 entries
“It is as impossible that a system radically erroneous, once commenced, should end well, as it is that a mathematical problem, commenced wrong, should come out right.”
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“Alcohol consumed removes the inhibition against telling the truth that occasionally one would like to keep secret.”
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“We should not plan and then try to make circumstances fit those plans. Instead we should make plans fit the circumstances.”
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“Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows. Let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.”
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“This proverb imitates that an inbred Philauty runs through the whole Race of Fleſh and Blood. It blinds the Underſtanding, perverts the Judgment and depraves the Reaſon of the Diſtinguishers of Truth and Falſity.”
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“Ideally, our rules should be formed in such a fashion that an ordinary helpful kind thoughtful person doesn't really even need to know the rules. You just get to work, do something fun, and nobody hassles you as long as you are being thoughtful and kind.”
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“The people are fashioned according to the example of their kings; and edicts are of less power than the life of the ruler.”
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“Friendship ... flourishes not so much by kindnesses as by sincerity.”
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“Spread your risks or investments so that if one enterprise fails you will not lose everything.”
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“Work and play they're never okay to mix.”
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“Do not trust gifts or favors if they come from an enemy.”
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“Wherever God erects a house of prayer,The Devil always builds a chapel there:And 'twill be found, upon examination,The latter has the largest congregation.”
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“Hope is itself a species of happiness, and, perhaps, the chief happiness which this world affords.”
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“Actions may be, and indeed sometimes are deceptive in a measure though not as much so as words; and accordingly are received in general as more full and satisfactory proofs of the real disposition and character of persons than verbal expressions.”
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“For peace do not hope—to be just you must break itStill work for the minute and not for the year;When honor comes to you, be ready to take it; But reach not to seize it before it is near.”
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Euro Weekly News: Experience ancient Rome in Villajoyosa with gladiator battles and a feast at Gran Circus Maximus
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Public attention spiked: 8,116 Wikipedia readers in one day, 54.3× the usual 150, with 3 article edits. Editors noted: Reign and death a mob is a group of people, so "who", not "which"
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2007· 14 entries
“It is wiser to withdraw from a situation that you cannot win than to go on fighting and lose – by a strategic retreat you can return to the battle or argument with renewed energy at a later date.”
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“Being honest or telling the truth is always the wisest course of action.”
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“If you are unsure what to do, it is best to do nothing at all.”
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“Children are bound to cause their parents anxiety, and may or may not also bring them joy.”
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“Things that you must not have or do are always the most desirable.”
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“The best way to conquer or control a group of people is by encouraging them to fight among themselves rather than allowing them to unite in opposition to the ruling authority.”
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“Liars must remember the untruths they have told, to avoid contradicting themselves at some later date.”
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“We must accept with gratitude and without complaint what we are given when we do not have the means or opportunity to provide ourselves with something better.”
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“If you are sufficiently determined to achieve something, then you will find a way of doing so.”
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“Small organizations or insignificant people tend to be swallowed up or destroyed by those that are greater and more powerful.”
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“Those who act boldly or courageously are most likely to succeed.”
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“Take advantage of an opportunity when it presents itself, even if you do not want or need it at the time, because it may no longer be available when you do.”
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“Nobody can fully understand another person's hardship or suffering.”
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“Somebody who has a very wide range of abilities or skills usually does not excel at any of them.”
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2003· 1 entry
“All contributions, however small, are of use.”
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1997· 3 entries
“When in trouble first of all every one himself should do his best to improve his condition.”
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“Children observe daily and — in their behaviour — often follow the example of their parents.”
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“Daughters may look and behave like their mothers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and daily.”
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1994· 1 entry
“Don't yield to that alluring witch, laziness, or else be prepared to surrender all that you have won in your better moments.”
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1950· 1 entry
“As to the quantity of absolute truth in a thought: it seems to me the more comprehensive and unobjectionable a thought becomes, the more clumsy and unexciting it gets. I like half-truths of a certain kind — they are interesting and they stimulate.”
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1897· 1 entry
“Education, therefore, is a process of living and not a preparation for future living.”
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1886· 1 entry
“Every man loves well what is like to himself.”
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1868· 1 entry
“An uneducated man cannot judge of the attainments of the learned.”
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1859· 1 entry
“'Tis better for thee to be wise and not seem so, than to seem wise and not be so: Yet Men, for the most Part, desire and endeavor the contrary.”
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1855· 1 entry
“Hesitation or procastination may lead to trouble or disaster.”
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1845· 1 entry
“In private animosities and verbal contentions, where angry passions are apt to rise, and irritating, if not profane expressions are often made use of, as we sometimes see to be the case, not only among neighbors, but in families, between husbands and wives, or parents and children, or the children themselves and other members of the household, - the least said, the better in general. By multiplying words, cases often grow worse instead of better.”
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1818· 1 entry
“If you would have any thing done for you, you must give something, for people will not serve you for nothing.”
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0455· 2 entries
Died 0455-04-22.
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Career landmark: Western Roman emperor (0455–0455).
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0396· 1 entry
Born 0396.
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