Such is the audacity of man, that he hath learned to counterfeit Nature, yea, and is so bold as to challenge her in her work.
Pliny The ElderRead
It has become quite a common proverb that in wine there is truth (In Vino Veritas).
Interpretation
Wine can reveal honest truths in social settings.
The quote 'In Vino Veritas' suggests that when people consume wine, their true thoughts and feelings are more likely to surface. This idea implies that alcohol, while it can alter perception and judgment, also has the effect of lowering inhibitions, leading individuals to speak more freely and truthfully than they might otherwise.
In practice
During a wine tasting event, one might share this quote to encourage open discussion.
Such is the audacity of man, that he hath learned to counterfeit Nature, yea, and is so bold as to challenge her in her work.
The depth of darkness to which you can descend and still live is an exact measure of the height to which you can aspire to reach.
It is generally much more shameful to lose a good reputation than never to have acquired it.
Of all wonders, this is among the greatest, that some fresh waters close by the sea spring forth as out of pipes: for the nature of the waters also ceaseth not from miraculous properties.
How innocent, how happy, how truly delightful, even, would life be if we were to desire nothing but what is to be found upon the face of the earth: in a word, nothing but what is provided ready to our hands!
Man has learned how to challenge both Nature and art to become the incitements to vice! His very cups he has delighted to engrave with libidinous subjects, and he takes pleasure in drinking from vessels of obscene form!
It is likely that human beings will find fulfillment and will be rewarded for the same qualities that they have been rewarded for for 5,000 years. And that is intelligence, hard work, honesty, a sense of character, loyalty to family and friends, and above all, love and faith. If you are trying to decide what you should do, those are the things you should do. And you know it.
Now, if you notice how the swan, putting its neck down into the deep water, brings up food for itself from below, then you will discover the wisdom of the Creator, in that He gave it a neck longer than its feet for this reason, that it might, as if lowering a sort of fishing line, procure the food hidden in the deep water.
We need an America with the wisdom of experience. But we must not let America grow old in spirit.
Love yourself and be awake- Today, tomorrow, always. First establish yourself in the way, Then teach others, And so defeat sorrow. To straighten the crooked You must first do a harder thing- Straighten yourself. You are your only master. Who else? Subdue yourself, And discover your master.
You will observe with concern how long a useful truth may be known, and exist, before it is generally received and practiced on.
In idleness there is a perpetual despair.
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