Inceptis gravibus plerumque et magna professis purpureus, late qui splendeat, unus et alter adsuitur pannus.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- In serious matters, often the purple (royal) is shown, but the cloth that truly shines is the one that comes later, joined by another.
- In plain terms
- True merit may appear later and be shared.
- What can you take from it?
- Do not judge only by early appearances.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When have you seen later work outrank early hype?
- How does collaboration affect perceived value?
Another view
The metaphor is obscure and may confuse readers.
More from Horace
Natales grate numeras?
Permalink to quote #34 Brevis esse laboro, obscurus fio.
Permalink to quote #36 Singula de nobis anni praedantur euntes.
Permalink to quote #33
Related quotes
Being a well-dressed man is a career, and he who goes in for it has no time for anything else.
Heywood BrounHeywood Broun quote #1 I'm always endlessly surprised about the people who come into my life, who I get to collaborate with. I feel really overwhelmed by those opportunities. But it'…
Reese WitherspoonReese Witherspoon quote #1 'And I was wondering why it took so long for me to get to a World Series -- 4200+ games, 30+ years ... Well, I guess the Good Lord was just waiting for me to p…
Joe TorreJoe Torre quote #1