Known as one of the most influential Roman poets of the 1st century BCE, Catullus left behind a treasure trove of lyrical and emotional verses that continue to captivate readers today. His works, filled with raw passion and vulnerability, provide a glimpse into the complexities of love, friendship, and the human condition. In this article, we will explore some of the most memorable Catullus quotes that have stood the test of time.
Catullus’ poetry often reflects the tumultuous nature of his personal relationships, particularly his passionate and tumultuous affair with Lesbia, a pseudonym for Clodia Metelli. His poems oscillate between moments of intense desire and heart-wrenching betrayal, showcasing the depth of his emotions. Through his words, Catullus invites us to experience the highs and lows of love, offering solace and understanding to those who have experienced similar tribulations.
While Catullus is primarily known for his love poetry, his works also touch upon themes such as friendship, loss, and the fleeting nature of life. He laments the death of his brother in poignant verses, emphasizing the fragility of human existence and the pain of parting. Through his exploration of these universal themes, Catullus reminds us of our shared humanity and the inherent beauty of both joy and sorrow.
Read these Catullus quotes:
“Odi et amo. Quare id faciam, fortasse requiris. Nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior.” (I hate and I love. Perhaps you ask why I do this. I do not know, but I feel it happening and I am tortured.)
“Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus, rumoresque senum severiorum omnes unius aestimemus assis. Soles occidere et redire possunt; nobis, cum semel occidit brevis lux, nox est perpetua una dormienda.” (Let us live, my Lesbia, and let us love, and let us value all the rumors of stern old men at a single penny. Suns may set and rise again; for us, when once our brief light sets, there is one perpetual night to be slept through.)
“Lugete, o Veneres Cupidinesque, et quantum est hominum venustiorum. Passer mortuus est meae puellae, passer, deliciae meae puellae.” (Mourn, O Venuses and Cupids, and all you men of charm. A sparrow of my girl has died, a sparrow, my girl’s pet.)
“Suffenus iste, Vare, quem probe nosti, homo est venustus et dicax et urbanus, idemque longe plurimos facit versus. Puto esse ego illi milia aut decem aut plura perscripta, nec sic, ut fit, in palimpsesto relata: Carmina quae scribat, melius, putat, putat: ” (That fellow Suffenus, dear Varus, whom you know well, is a charming, witty, urbane man, and he also writes a great many verses, far more than I do. I think he’s had a thousand or ten thousand or more written out, and not, as is done, copied onto a palimpsest: he thinks his poems better, better.)
“Nulli se dicit mulier mea nubere malle quam mihi, non si se Iuppiter ipse petat. Dicit: sed mulier cupido quod dicit amanti, in vento et rapida scribere oportet aqua.” (My woman says that she prefers to marry no one rather than me, not even if Jupiter himself should seek her. She says: but what a woman says to her eager lover, one ought to write on the wind and on running water.)
“Aurelius and Furius, those unwashed poets, live with their Catullus but hate him; they write many things but bring forth nothing new.” (Aurelius and Furius, those unwashed poets, live with their Catullus but hate him; they write many things but bring forth nothing new.)
“Vale, puella, iam Catullus obdurat, nec te requiret nec rogabit invitam. At tu dolebis, cum rogaberis nulla. Scelesta, vae te, quae tibi manet vita? Quis nunc te adibit? Cui videberis bella? Quem nunc amabis? Cuius esse diceris? Quem basiabis? Cui labella mordebis?” (Farewell, girl, Catullus is obdurate now, and will neither seek you out nor ask for you, even if you’re unwilling. But you’ll be sorry when no one seeks you out. Wretched girl, what life awaits you now? Who will come to you? Whom will you seem lovely to? Whom will you love? Whose will you be said to be? Whose lips will you bite?)
“Iam ver egelidos refert tepores, iam caeli furor aequinoctialis iucundis Zephyri silescit aureis.” (Now spring brings back its pleasant warmth, and the fury of the equinoctial sky is silenced by the pleasant breezes of Zephyrus.)
“Quid est, Catulle? quid moraris emori? scelesta, Vatinoni, perdidistine unam mea Lesbia quam tota aestate persequens bicerat.” (What’s wrong, Catullus? Why do you delay to die? Wretched fellow, you have lost one Lesbia whom having pursued all summer you had found.”)
“Noli admirari, quare tibi femina nulla, Rufe, velit tenerum supposuisse femur, non si illam rarae labefactes munere vestis aut perluciduli deliciis lapidis.” (Don’t be surprised, Rufus, why no woman wants to place her tender thigh under you, not if you undermine her by the rarity of your clothes or by the delights of a translucent gem.)
“Quare habe tibi quidquid hoc libelli, qualecumque, quod o patrona virgo plus uno maneat perenne saeclo.” (So take what little gift this book is, my girl, whatever it is, which, O patron maiden, may it remain lasting for more than one generation.)
“Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus, rumoresque senum severiorum omnes unius aestimemus assis. Soles occidere et redire possunt; nobis, cum semel occidit brevis lux, nox est perpetua una dormienda.” (Let us live, my Lesbia, and let us love, and let us value all the rumors of stern old men at a single penny. Suns may set and rise again; for us, when once our brief light sets, there is one perpetual night to be slept through.)
“Nulla potest mulier tantum se dicere amatam vere, quantum a me Lesbia amata mea est. Nulla fides ullo fuit umquam foedere tanta, quanta in amore tuo ex parte reperta mea est.” (No woman can truly say she has been loved as much as my Lesbia has been loved by me. No trust has ever been so great in any partnership as has been found in my love for you.)
“Quis hoc potest videre, quis potest pati, nisi impudicus et vorax et aleo, mamurram habere quae te possit alloqui? vesanus iste, quem sibi quisque timebat, cuius an hung illius, quidquid hoc adstitit, quem non concupivisse est mirum, mirum potius continuisse.” (Who can see this, who can endure it, unless he is shameless, greedy, and a gambler, to have a shabby hag who can address you? Mad that fellow, whom everyone feared himself, whose or whoever’s this was, it is not surprising that he should not have desired it, it is rather surprising that he should have contained himself.)
“Iam obscura nitens phosphore novo fulget, ut sol nitore novo nitens fulget.” (Now shining out brightly with a new light, it gleams, as the sun gleams brightly with a new light.)
“Si qua recordanti benefacta priora voluptas est homini, cum se cogitat esse pium, nec sanctam violasse fidem nec foedere in ullo divum ad fallendos numine abusum homines, multa parata manet in longa aetate, Catulle, ex hoc ingrato gaudia amore tibi.” (If ever pleasure for recalling earlier good deeds exists for a man, when he considers himself pious, neither to have violated holy faith nor to have used any divine power to deceive men, much prepared joy awaits you in your long life, Catullus, from this ungrateful love.)
“Miser Catulle, desinas ineptire, et quod vides perisse perditum ducas.” (Poor Catullus, stop being foolish, and regard as lost what you see is lost.)
“Paedicabo ego vos et irrumabo.” (I will sodomize you and face-fuck you.)
“Mellitos oculos tuos, Catulle, non potes saevos cibum dare.” (You can’t give your fierce eyes sweet food, Catullus.)
“Atque in uincla te cupido iactabit inanis” (And empty desire will throw you into chains)
“Odi et amo. Quare id faciam, fortasse requiris. Nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior.” (I hate and I love. Perhaps you ask why I do this. I do not know, but I feel it happening and I am tortured.)
These Catullus quotes provide a glimpse into the profound emotions and experiences that shaped the poet’s life and work. As we delve into his verses, we are reminded of the timeless nature of human emotions and the power of words to capture the complexities of love and loss. Catullus’ legacy lives on through his poignant and evocative poetry, continuing to inspire and resonate with readers across the centuries.
