Bacchus Quote by Horace
“Come boy, and pour for me a cup Of old Falernian. Fill it up With wine, strong, sparkling, bright, and clear; Our host decrees no water here. Let dullards drink the Nymph's pale brew, The sluggish thin their blood with dew. For such pale stuff we have no use; For us the purple grape's rich juice. Begone, ye chilling water sprite; Here burning Bacchus rules tonight! Catullus, Selections From Catullus No poems can live long or please that are written by water-drinkers.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: Catullus 16, 1st century BC
The speaker rejects water in favor of wine, celebrating indulgence and the power of revelry over restraint.
In simple terms: Rejects water, prefers wine and revelry.
Key Takeaway
Choose pleasure over moderation.
Themes
indulgence
celebration
rebellion
Mood
playful
defiant
Type
poetic
celebratory
When to use this quote
- banquets
- festivals
- social gatherings
- personal indulgence
Key Concepts
Roman poetry
wine symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prioritize pleasure over restraint?
- How does indulgence affect community?
A Different Perspective
May lead to excess and neglect of health.
![“In a moment comes either death or joyful victory. [Lat., Horae Momento cita mors venit aut victoria laeta.]” quote by Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a43/horace-172_death_in-a-moment-comes-either-death-or-joyful_17189.jpg)
![“Neither men, nor gods, nor booksellers' shelves permit ordinary poets to exist. [Lat., Mediocribus esse poetis Non homines, non di, non concessere columnae.]” quote by Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bd4/horace-172_booksellers_neither-men-nor-gods-nor-booksellers-she_23851.jpg)
