“He has achieved every vote who has combined the useful with the agreeable, delighting the reader while instructing him.”

Original: Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utili dulci, lectorem delectando pariterque monendo. — Highlights the ideal harmony of pleasure and moral purpose in writing. · Ars Poetica (Latin)

• Pleasure
• Wisdom
• Writing

“Even the great Homer sometimes nods.”

Original: Quandoque bonus dormitat Homerus. — A gentle observation that even supreme masters make minor slips. · Ars Poetica (Latin)

• Authors
• Error
• Humility

“Mountains will labor, and a ridiculous mouse will be born.”

Original: Parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. — A witty critique of grand artistic promises that result in trivial outputs. · Ars Poetica (Latin)

• Criticism
• Humour
• Wit

“It is not enough for poems to be beautiful; they must be moving and lead the listener's mind wherever they wish.”

Original: Non satis est pulchra esse poemata; dulcia sunto et quocumque volent animum auditoris agunto. — Emphasises emotional impact over mere formal elegance in verse. · Ars Poetica (Latin)

• Beauty
• Emotion
• Poetry

“Once a word has escaped, it can never be recalled.”

Original: Nescit vox missa reverti. — A reminder of the permanent power and consequence of spoken words. · Ars Poetica (Latin)

• Caution
• Speech
• Words

“Poets aim either to benefit or to please, or to say what is both agreeable and useful for life.”

Original: Aut prodesse volunt aut delectare poetae aut simul et iucunda et idonea dicere vitae. — Reflects the classic dual mandate of literature to educate and entertain. · Ars Poetica (Latin)

• Pleasure
• Poetry
• Utility

“A poem is like a picture: one strikes you more if you stand near, another if you move further back.”

Original: Ut pictura poesis: erit quae, si propius stes, te capiat magis, et quaedam, si longius abstes. — Expresses how different works of art require varied perspectives to be fully appreciated. · Ars Poetica (Latin)

• Art
• Perception
• Poetry