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Which famous phrases from Juvenal’s satires entered common use?
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satire
George Bernard Shaw speaking about the novelty of technology; excerpt from a Hearst Metrotone newsreel (c. 1930). (29 sec; 2.6 MB)
Many of the trenchant phrases and epigrams penned by the Roman poet Juvenal have transcended his original works to become common parlance. These expressions, often characterized by their biting wit and moral weight, include:
- Bread and circuses (panem et circenses): A reference to the sustenance and entertainment provided by a government to appease public discontent.12
- Who will guard the guards themselves? (quis custodiet ipsos custodes?): A classic inquiry into the accountability of those in power.23
- The itch for writing: A phrase capturing the persistent compulsion to author works.2
- The greatest reverence is due to a child: An observation on the respect owed to the young.2
- Slow rises worth, by poverty oppressed: A reflection on the difficulty of achieving recognition when hindered by financial hardship.2
These phrases exemplify the enduring influence of Juvenalian satire, a form of artistic satire defined by its bitter, ironic, and pessimistic critique of contemporary society and institutions.24