Augustus Quotes & Sayings

If we could survive without a wife, citizens of Rome, all of us would do without that nuisance; but since nature has so decreed that we cannot manage comfortably with them, nor live in any way without them, we must plan for our lasting preservation rather than for our temporary pleasure. — Augustus

You cheer my heart, who build as if Rome would be eternal. — Augustus

I found Rome built of bricks; I leave her clothed in marble. — Augustus

Practice, the master of all things. — Augustus

If I have played my part well, clap your hands, and dismiss me with applause from the stage. — Augustus

Young men, hear an old man to whom old men hearkened when he was young. — Augustus

Make haste cautiously. — Augustus

Only that which is well done is quickly done. — Augustus

After this time I surpassed all others in authority, but I had no more power than the others who were also my colleagues in office. — Augustus

May it be my privilege to have the happiness of establishing the commonwealth on a firm and stable basis and thus enjoy the reward which I desire, but only if I may be called the architect of the best possible government; and bear with me the hope when I die, that the foundations which I have laid for its future government, will stand deep and secure. — Augustus

Nothing common can seem worthy of you. — Augustus

To seek to keep the established constitution unchanged argues a good citizen and a good man. — Augustus

Did I play my role well? If so, then applause, because the comedy is finished! — Augustus

Behold them, conquerors of the world, the toga-clad race of Romans! — Augustus

Better a cautious commander, and not a rash one. — Augustus

I found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble. — Augustus

He [Julius Caesar] learned that Alexander , having completed nearly all his conquests by the time he was thirty-two years old, was at an utter loss to know what he should do during the rest of his life, whereat Augustus expressed his surprise that Alexander did not regard it as a greater task to set in order the empire which he had won than to win it. — Augustus

What is done well is done quickly enough. — Augustus

I came to see a king, not a row of corpses. — Augustus

At the age of nineteen, on my own initiative and at my own expense, I raised an army by means of which I restored liberty to the republic, which had been oppressed by the tyranny of a faction. For which service the senate, with complimentary resolutions, enrolled me in its order ... — Augustus

Young men, listen to an old man to whom old men listened when he was young. — Augustus

Have I played the part well? Then applaud as I exit! — Augustus

I had a good mind to discontinue permanently the supply of grain to the city, reliance on which had discouraged Italian agriculture, but refrained because some politician would be bound one day to revive the dole as a means of ingratiating himself with the people. — Augustus

Who will guard the Guardians? — Augustus

Is there anyone in Rome who has not slept with my daughter?! — Augustus

Quintilius Varus, Give me back my legions! — Augustus

Keep our marriage alive, and farewell. — Augustus