Homo Quote by Plautus
““Homo homini lupis est.””
About This Quote
Source Play: Amphitruo, 2nd century BC
Humans are naturally predatory toward each other.
In simple terms: People tend to exploit one another.
Key Takeaway
Beware selfish instincts.
Themes
human nature
predation
trust
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- politics
- business negotiations
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
Machiavellianism
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance self‑interest with empathy?
- When is competition beneficial?
A Different Perspective
Not all interactions are hostile; cooperation exists.
![“Homo homini lupus [man is wolf to man]. Who in the face of all his experience of life and of history, will have the courage to dispute this assertion?” quote by Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0dc/sigmund-freud-360_history_homo-homini-lupus-man-is-wolf-to-man-who_2354528.jpg)
![“Man is a wolf to man. [Lat., Homo homini lupus.]” quote by Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4cb/plautus-1263_homo_man-is-a-wolf-to-man-lat-homo-homini-lup_1620359.jpg)
![“No man has perpetual good fortune. [Lat., Nulli est homini perpetuum bonum.]” quote by Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/39b/plautus-1263_fortune_no-man-has-perpetual-good-fortune-lat-nu_139591.jpg)
![“You little know what a ticklish thing it is to go to law. [Lat., Nescis tu quam meticulosa res sit ire ad judicem.]” quote by Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ca6/plautus-1263_ads_you-little-know-what-a-ticklish-thing-it_196506.jpg)
