31 Metamorphoses Quotes About Change, Identity and Work

The Metamorphoses is a Latin narrative poem by the Roman poet Ovid. It was written in 8 AD during the time of Emperor Augustus in Rome. It was a poem on change, as it is referred on its name Metamorphoses which means transformations or changes.

The Metamorphoses is considered one of the most important parts of Alexandrian poetry. It took inspiration from earlier poetries about inner and outer human transformation. It was the largest collection of myths till then. It is a large collection of 250 narratives across 15 books.

The poem has diversified contents about The Creation, the foundation and destruction of Troy, Peleus, and Thetis, Daedalion, the apotheosis of Julius Caesar. It is hard to identify any definite genre or theme for the work as it itself has become a theme of poems.

Even after thousands of years, The Metamorphoses remains one of the most influential literary works. It has a huge influence on western art and culture. These are some of the most influential quotes from The Metamorphoses by Ovid.

Omnia mutantur, nihil interit (everything changes, nothing perishes).

God himself helps those who dare.

Your fate is mortal: what you ask for isn’t.

You will go most safely by the middle way.

Right it is to be taught even by the enemy.

What we have been, or now are, we shall not be tomorrow.

Be patient and tough; one day this pain will be useful to you.

Happy is the man who has broken the chains which hurt the mind, and has given up worrying once and for all.

A burden which is done well becomes light.

Time gliding by without our knowledge cheats us, and nothing can be swifter than the years.

Often the prickly thorn produces tender roses.

Medicine sometimes snatches away health, sometimes gives it.

At times it is folly to hasten at other times, to delay. The wise do everything in its proper time.

Fortune resists half-hearted prayers.

We are ever striving after what is forbidden, and coveting what is denied us.

Let others praise ancient times; I am glad I was born in these.

Either do not attempt at all or go through with it.

My vengeance is my guilt.

Chance is always powerful. Let your hook be always cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be a fish.

Courage conquers all things: it even gives strength to the body.

Happy are those who dare courageously to defend what they love.

Thus earth of late so rude, So shapeless, man, till now unknown, became.

Fortune and love favor the brave.

Whether they give or refuse, it delights women just the same to have been asked.

People are slow to claim confidence in undertakings of magnitude.

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a beautiful crop.

It’s a kindness that the mind can go where it wishes.

There is no such thing as pure pleasure; some anxiety always goes with it.

There are a thousand forms of evil; there will be a thousand remedies.

He who has lived in obscurity has lived well.

Love is the force that leaves you colorless.

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