[Ads-l] QI - You Have Not Lived Today Until You Have Done Something for Someone Who Can Never Repay You

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

Thanks for providing an intriguing citation, Peter.
I have updated the QI article, and you are acknowledged. Changes
should be visible within 24 hours.

Roman historian Suetonius included the saying you mentioned in his
work "The Lives of the Twelve Caesars". Suetonius credited Emperor
Titus. The anecdote provided an interesting precursor which did not
mention repayment.

https://quoteinvestigator.com/2024/04/27/never-repay/

Garson

On Sun, Apr 28, 2024 at 2:31 AM mr_peter_morris at outlook.com
<mr_peter_morris at outlook.com> wrote:
>
> https://quoteinvestigator.com/2024/04/27/never-repay/#more-444532
>
> The sentiment, if not the exact quote, goes back to Classical times.
>
> "Diem perdidi"  I have lost a day.  Emperor Titus (attrib)
>
> https://thinkingliketheancients.wordpress.com/2015/02/10/thinking-on-moments-reflections-and-days-lost/
>
> meaning: Any day where you don't help someone is a day wasted.
>
> Also : Nil boni hodie. Diem perdidi.  (I have done no good today. I have lost a day)
>
> https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C9ozV1RXUAAnEH-.jpg
>
> +
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org