Non Sibi Quotes & Sayings

How does it happen, Maecenas, that no one is content with that lot in life which he has chosen, or which chance has thrown in his way, but praises those who follow a different course?
[Lat., Qui fit, Maecenas, ut nemo quam sibi sortem,
Seu ratio dederit, seu fors objecerit, illa
Contentus vivat? laudet diversa sequentes.] — Horace

The wise man is wise in vain who cannot be wise to his own advantage.
[Lat., Nequicquam sapere sapientem, qui ipse sibi prodesse non quiret.] — Quintus Ennius

The more we deny ourselves, the more the gods supply our wants.
[Lat., Quanto quisque sibi plura negaverit,
A dis plura feret.] — Horace

The more a man denies himself, the more he shall receive from heaven. Naked, I seek the camp of those who covet nothing.
[Lat., Quanto quisque sibi plura negaverit,
A dis plura feret. Nil cupientium
Nudus castra peto.] — Horace

Who wishes to give himself an abundance of business let him equip these two things, a ship and a woman. For no two things involve more business, if you have begun to fit them out. Nor are these two things ever sufficiently adorned, nor is any excess of adornment enough for them.
[Lat., Negotii sibi qui volet vim parare,
Navem et mulierem, haec duo comparato.
Nam nullae magis res duae plus negotii
Habent, forte si occeperis exornare.
Neque unquam satis hae duae res ornantur,
Neque eis ulla ornandi satis satietas est.] — Plautus

For the gods, instead of what is most pleasing, will give what is most proper. Man is dearer to them than he is to himself.
[Lat., Nam pro jucundis aptissima quaeque dabunt di,
Carior est illis homo quam sibi.] — Juvenal

It is foolish to pluck out one's hair for sorrow, as if grief could be assuaged by baldness.
[Lat., Stultum est in luctu capillum sibi evellere, quasi calvito maeror levaretur.] — Marcus Tullius Cicero

Nemo tam divos habuit faventes,
Crastinum ut possit sibi polliceri.
Nobody has ever found the gods so much his friends that he can promise himself another day. — Seneca The Younger