“The spirited horse, which will try to win the race of its own accord, will run even faster if encouraged.”

“It's right to learn, even from the enemy.”

“For such a career I lacked both endurance and inclination:the stress of ambition left me cold,while the Muse, the creative spirit, was forever urging on methat haven of leisure to which I'd always leaned.The poets of those days I cultivated and cherished:for me, bards were so many gods.”

“Venus of Eryx, from her mountain throne,Saw Hades and clasped her swift-winged son, and said:'Cupid, my child, my warrior, my power,Take those sure shafts with which you conquer all,And shoot your speedy arrows to the heartOf the great god to whom the last lot fellWhen the three realms were drawn. Your masterySubdues the gods of heaven and even Jove,Subdues the ocean's deities and him,Even him, who rules the ocean's deities.Why should Hell lag behind? Why not there tooExtend your mother's empire and your own....?Then Cupid, guided by his mother, openedHis quiver of all his thousand arrowsSelected one, the sharpest and the surest,The arrow most obedient to the bow,And bent the pliant horn against his kneeAnd shot the barbed shaft deep in Pluto's heart.”

“Right it is to be taught even by the enemy.”

“The burden which is well borne becomes light.”

“Thus I am not able to exist either with you or without you; and I seem not to know my own wishes.”